Trump Says Eisenkot’s Policies Are Very Similar to Netanyahu’s

U.S. President Donald Trump said Gadi Eisenkot’s policies and views closely resembled those of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in remarks reported early Monday. Speaking to reporters before boarding an aircraft to return to Washington, Trump addressed Eisenkot’s selection to try to form Israel’s next government. “They are very similar in terms of their policies and views,” Trump said of the two Israeli leaders. He said he had not been following developments in Israel. Trump also said Eisenkot had spoken favorably about him and expressed affection for him, and asserted that both Eisenkot and Netanyahu strongly supported his actions. President Isaac Herzog announced on November 7 that he intended to give Eisenkot, the leader of the Yashar party, the task of forming a government. After consultations with the parliamentary factions, Herzog’s office said parties representing 67 Knesset members had recommended Eisenkot. Factions representing 46 members recommended Netanyahu, while a faction representing seven members recommended no candidate. In that announcement, Herzog invited Eisenkot to the President’s Residence in Jerusalem for the formal assignment on November 8 at 17:00. The President’s Office explained that Basic Law: The Government gives an assigned Knesset member 28 days to form a government. The president may extend that period by up to another 14 days.