Eisenkot Has 28 Days to Replace Netanyahu. Here Is Why the Math Is Harder Than the Headlines.

Israel's president handed the former army chief the first shot at forming a government after he won 67 recommendations to Netanyahu's 46. But no bloc has 61 seats, the Arab parties hold the swing, and a return to the polls is still on the table.

By Clara Hughes

On Sunday, President Isaac Herzog formally handed Gadi Eisenkot the mandate to form Israel's next government, at a ceremony at the President's Residence, The Jerusalem Post reported. Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party and a former military chief, received 67 recommendations from lawmakers in the 120-seat Knesset. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received 46. By law, Eisenkot now has 28 days to build a coalition, and Herzog can extend that by up to 14 more. Keep reading with Altas Premium. Below: the seat math, why 67 recommendations is not 61 votes, the Arab-party question, the haredi wild card,