Knesset has been deadlocked since the election last month when Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition lost its majority

Israel’s president has ⁠chosen Gadi Eisenkot, the prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ⁠strongest rival, to ⁠try to ​form a new government, after a deadlocked election that left neither man ⁠with a clear path to power.

Isaac Herzog’s office said he had informed Eisenkot, the leader of the Yashar party, on Saturday night “of his intention to task him with forming a government”.