Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Sunday formally tasked opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming a government, giving the former military chief a chance to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after Netanyahu's right-wing coalition lost its parliamentary majority in October's election.
Eisenkot, leader of the centrist Yashar party, received recommendations from 67 lawmakers in the 120-seat parliament, compared with 46 for Netanyahu.
At the ceremony, Herzog called for unity and a "stable government that can last."
Eisenkot warned that Israel was facing a "critical moment," saying the objectives of its multi-front conflicts "remained unfulfilled," its international relations were in a "devastating crisis," and its democracy was facing one of its gravest challenges.
"If we continue on the current path, we risk reaching a point of no return," he said, calling for new leadership "that people can look in the eye and trust."
He said he was convinced it was possible to form a new government with a substantial majority in the Knesset, and that he was open to Netanyahu's Likud party and far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's Religious Zionist Party joining a government under his leadership.
He said they were invited to "support the government under my leadership and the principles I've outlined."
"I intend to be the prime minister of all citizens of Israel, those who voted for me and those who haven't," Eisenkot said.
Eisenkot has 28 days to form a government, with a possible 14-day extension. Netanyahu will remain caretaker prime minister until a new government is sworn in.
Eisenkot's four-party alliance holds only 48 seats and would need support from Arab lawmakers or other parties to form a government.
Netanyahu on Saturday called for a national unity government, while Eisenkot's party said Likud could join a government led by Eisenkot if it abandoned its far-right allies.
Under Israeli law, if Eisenkot fails to form a government within the allotted time, Herzog may assign the task to another candidate, or at least 61 members of the 120-seat Knesset can ask the president to entrust the mandate to a candidate of their choice. If these efforts also fail, the Knesset will be dissolved and new elections will be held.
Israeli opposition leader Eisenkot officially receives mandate to form gov't
People from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan have said that the fifth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) is profoundly significant and highly inspiring, while expressing their willingness to contribute to the country's high-quality development and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through practical actions.
"We have deeply realized that advancing comprehensive and strict governance over the Party is crucial to the state governance system and capacity. Only when the overall situation of the country is stable can Hong Kong's business environment remain stable, giving enterprises long-term confidence. Hong Kong is now implementing its first five-year development plan and aligning with the national strategic layout, enriching the successful practice of 'one country, two systems' with solid development achievements," said Lin Xiaohui, a Hong Kong member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
"The fifth plenary session has infused confidence into Macao youth in the new era, who are actively responding to the country's call and participating in the great endeavor of building a strong country and achieving national rejuvenation. We will more proactively stand in unity with people of all ethnic groups across the country and serve the overall development of the nation," said Fu Tenglong, a member of the National Committee of the All-China Youth Federation and a youth from Macao.
"The Communist Party of China has led the Chinese people in the historic journey of standing up, growing rich, and becoming strong, a success visible to the whole world. We Chinese sons and daughters in Taiwan can clearly see that the key to this success lies in advancing comprehensive and strict governance over the Party. It takes into account the real needs of the people and the long-term development of society, ensuring that the force leading the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation remains true to its original aspiration and continues to forge ahead, leading all Chinese people, including us Taiwan compatriots, from victory to victory," said Wang Ping-chung, a Taiwan current affairs commentator.
"Daring to face problems squarely, continuously purifying and improving itself, and maintaining the advanced nature and vitality of the organization -- this is a remarkable governance wisdom. A political party with strong leadership and appeal can continuously promote the integrated development across the Taiwan Strait. Hopefully more young people from Taiwan will come to the mainland to visit, study, start businesses, and pursue their dreams, integrating themselves into the process of Chinese modernization and strive in unity for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," said Cao Shengyong, vice president of the Service Alliance of Taiwan Youth Entrepreneurship and Employment Bases in Huli District, east China's Xiamen City.
The fifth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) was held in Beijing from Oct 26 to 29 in Beijing.
The session adopted the Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Certain Major Issues Concerning Persevering with Full and Rigorous Party Self-Governance.
People from HK, Macao, Taiwan on profound significance of fifth plenary session
