Netanyahu's rival set to be tasked with forming gov't

Former Israeli military chief Gadi Eisenkot is expected to be tasked with forming a government after the Arab-led Joint List announced Thursday that it would recommend him for prime minister, widening his lead over incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in presidential nominations, reported Xinhua.

The Joint List said the decision was unanimous but "not an easy one", criticizing Eisenkot's opposition bloc for failing to confront Netanyahu's policies and incitement against Arab citizens.

The party said it wanted to widen Eisenkot's lead in recommendations despite his already having more endorsements than Netanyahu.

The endorsement brings Eisenkot's expected backing to 67 lawmakers in the 120-seat parliament, though it does not guarantee he can assemble a governing coalition.

Israel's Central Elections Committee officially announced the results of last week's parliamentary election on Wednesday, confirming that opposition parties won 67 seats in the 120-member parliament, against 53 for Netanyahu's ruling bloc.

The opposition's 67 seats include 48 won by parties aligned with Eisenkot's Yashar party and 19 by the Arab-led parties, namely the Joint List, a coalition of three parties, and the Muslim Ra'am party.