India, Nov. 8 -- Israeli President Isaac Herzog has chosen opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to form the next government, giving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's main rival the first opportunity to assemble a governing coalition after last month's inconclusive election.

Herzog informed Eisenkot of his decision on Saturday after consultations with political parties represented in the Knesset. He is scheduled to formally hand him the mandate at a ceremony at the President's Residence in Jerusalem on Sunday.

Eisenkot, a former chief of the Israel Defense Forces and leader of the centrist Yashar party, has 28 days to form a government. Herzog can grant an extension of up to 14 days.

The October 27 election left no bloc with a parliamentar...