India, Nov. 9 -- Israeli opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot has been given the opportunity to form the new Israeli government after outgoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition fell short of a parliamentary majority in the October elections.

President Isaac Herzog on Sunday tasked Eisenkot with forming the next government after he received the support of 67 lawmakers, including those from Arab parties. Eisenkot now has a deadline of six weeks -- 28 days to put together a coalition to form a new government plus an extension of 14 days.

Eisenkot said he was willing to include Netanyahu and the Religious Zionist party headed by far-right leader Bezalel Smotrich in the government, provided he remain the leader. "Now is the time to fo...