Hyderabad, Nov. 8 -- Israeli President Isaac Herzog has tasked Gadi Eisenkot, a prominent rival of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with forming the next government after he received recommendations from 67 members of the Knesset.

The decision followed consultations with parliamentary factions and discussions with political leaders over the past few days. Herzog also met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Eisenkot before announcing his decision, according to a statement from the President's office.

During the consultations, factions representing 46 lawmakers recommended Netanyahu, who also leads the Likud party, while a faction comprising seven members chose not to endorse either candidate.

October 27 election left Israel without ...