Netanyahu rival Eisenkot seeks 'wide' government

Former Israeli military chief Gadi Eisenkot said on Sunday he will work to form a wide government as quickly as possible, but his path to power was uncertain following a deadlocked election that failed to dislodge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.



Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Saturday gave Eisenkot the first opportunity to try to form a new government after the October 27 election left both Eisenkot and Netanyahu short of the majority needed to govern.



Herzog officially handed Eisenkot the task on Sunday at a meeting at the president's residence, starting the clock on what Eisenkot said would be an "extraordinarily complex" process. "We are in a state of emergency, approaching a point of no return for the State of Israel," Eisenkot said.



"We must form a national emergency government. This will require creative and unconventional political steps."



Eisenkot said Israeli democracy was at a vulnerable moment at a time when it faced immense challenges, with Herzog citing a threat of attack from Iran, the need to progress towards peace in Gaza and negotiations with Lebanon and other neighbours.