The president's decision comes after 67 lawmakers endorsed Eisenkot in a round of consultations held with party representatives after the October 27 election, compared with just 46 who endorsed sitting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

In his second statement since the October 27 election, Netanyahu warned that a government dependent on 'Hamas supporters' would include members who 'praise the Nukhba murderers' who carried out the October 7 attack

Some Jewish voters appear to have defected from El-Sayed, even as most remained loyal to Democrats nationwide