President authorizes opposition leader to form new government, shaking Israeli politics

Following last month's general election in Israel, President Isaac Herzog officially announced today that he will prioritize tasking Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political rival, Eli Cohen, with forming a new government. This move is seen as a direct challenge to Netanyahu's 17-year tenure at the helm of the nation's highest executive office and a major blow to his political standing. President Herzog's decision is not only legally binding, but its political implications also signal a reassessment of the future direction of the current administration.

Israel's political system centers around a multi-party parliamentary framework, requiring prolonged negotiations following a general election to form a multi-party coalition government. The results of the 2022 election showed that while the Likud party led by Netanyahu maintained a considerable number of seats, it could no longer form a majority on its own and had to rely on the support of far-right nationalist parties. In contrast, the National Unity party led by Eli Cohen garnered stronger support in the election and emerged as the opposition leader. The outcome of this election created two major blocs within the parliament: one led by Netanyahu's far-right alliance, and the other centered around Eli Cohen's center-left forces. Herzog's authorization, while seemingly a respect for the election results, is in reality a profound challenge to the organizational structure of the current government.

Although the Israeli president's duties are largely ceremonial and symbolic, the office holds critical decision-making power during the government-formation phase. According to the Basic Laws of Israel, following a parliamentary election, the president must first entrust the task of forming a government to the leader deemed most capable of securing majority support. Herzog's choice of Eli Cohen indicates his assessment that Netanyahu is no longer able to garner sufficient support in parliament, or that Israel requires a more inclusive and stable governmental structure. This move not only weakens Netanyahu's personal power but may also signal an adjustment in the nation's overall political climate, demonstrating that under a multi-party system, political power cannot be controlled by a single individual.

For Netanyahu, this decision is undoubtedly an unprecedented source of pressure. As Israel's longest-serving prime minister, his political career spans multiple generations and has left a deep mark both domestically and internationally. Today, the challenge he faces is not only the loss of executive power, but also the potential of being forced to confront a series of legal and ethical scrutinies. If he fails to persuade parliament to support a new coalition government within a short period, he may be forced to resign or face impeachment.