India, Nov. 8 -- Gadi Eisenkot, a former chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), has been given the chance to form Israel's next government after President Isaac Herzog selected him following the inconclusive October 27 election. If successful, the 66-year-old leader of the Yashar party will replace Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving prime minister.

Herzog announced his decision on Saturday, November 7, after meeting political leaders to assess who had the best chance of forming a coalition. Eisenkot is due to formally receive the mandate at the President's Residence at 5pm on Sunday. He will have 28 days to build a government, with a possible extension of up to 14 days.

The challenge is considerable. Eisenkot's opp...