‘Blow for Netanyahu’ …as Israeli President picks opposition rival to form next government

Nov 7 (Reuters) – Israel’s president on Saturday chose Gadi Eisenkot, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s strongest rival, to try to form ​a new government following a deadlocked election that left neither man with a clear path to power.

Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving leader, is to stay in office after his religious-nationalist coalition lost its majority in an October 27 election but still emerged as the largest bloc in parliament.

Eisenkot, a former military chief, has declined to join forces with Arab parties, whose support would give him a majority of seats in parliament. But Arab leaders, incensed by what they view as the ​racist policies of Netanyahu and his far-right allies, still nominated Eisenkot to try to form a government first giving him the most ​endorsements.