JERUSALEM, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- 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 his 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, against 46 for Netanyahu.
At the ceremony, Herzog called for a "stable government that can last" and called for unity.
Eisenkot warned that Israel was facing a "critical moment," saying that 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 is convinced it is possible to form a new government with a substantial majority in the Knesset, and he was open to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party and far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's Religious Zionist Party joining the new government under his leadership.
He stressed that they are 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," said Eisenkot.
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 his Likud party could join a government led by Eisenkot if it abandoned its far-right allies. ■
