Israel president gives Netanyahu's rival 1st chance to form new govt after deadlocked election

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may be on his way out after the country's president, Isaac Herzog, gave his rival Gadi Eisenkot the first opportunity to try and form a new government, Reuters reported.

This follows a general election that saw no single coalition win a majority in the Knesset, Israel's Parliament.

Netanyahu's coalition won 53 seats while Eisenkot, a former Israel military chief, won 48 seats in the 120-member parliament.

However, a minor party in Netanyahu's coalition that won seven seats declined to back him this time.

Eisenkot now has 28 days to form a government and become the new prime minister, ousting Netanyahu from power.

If he fails to do so, the president can grant a 14-day extension, or find someone else he believes can command the confidence of parliament.

Eisenkot could seek the support of Israeli Arab parties (politicians of Arabian ethnicity who are Israeli citizens), who won a total of 19 seats.

Their performance was driven by strong turnout from Israeli Arab voters angered by Netanyahu's military strikes in Gaza, and derogatory attacks on them by right-wing Israelis.

However, seeking their support this may risk the support of other members of Eisenkot's own coalition. It remains to be seen what concessions they would demand in exchange for making him the next prime minister of Israel.