Barak urges Eisenkot to move fast against Netanyahu government
Herzog has asked Eisenkot to form the next government, with 67 Knesset members recommending him against 46 for Netanyahu.
Former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak on Sunday pressed Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot to act swiftly in putting together a cabinet, Turkey's state-run news agency Anadolu Agency reported.
Speaking to KAN, Israel's public broadcaster, Barak told Eisenkot not to delay and called ousting Benjamin Netanyahu his main obligation.
Barak, who led the government from 1999 to 2001, said he would welcome Arab parties in the next coalition.
He also argued that Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party could have joined a unity government if the prime minister were not part of it.
Separately, caretaker Defense Minister Israel Katz urged national unity in the face of what he called Iranian threats.
In remarks reported by the Israel Hayom newspaper, Katz claimed Iran was trying to restart its efforts to acquire nuclear weapons.
He said the current moment demanded unity, responsibility and mutual support.
On Saturday, Israeli President Isaac Herzog said he would task Eisenkot with forming the next government.
The formal handover was scheduled for 5 p.m. local time on Sunday.
Herzog's office said factions representing 67 of the 120 Knesset members recommended Eisenkot, while factions representing 46 backed Netanyahu.
A seven-member faction declined to recommend anyone.
Eisenkot's bloc does not have a parliamentary majority on its own.
Support from Arab parties helped him secure the 67 recommendations, but his allies remain divided over whether those parties should join the coalition.
Under Israel's Basic Law, Eisenkot will have 28 days to form a government once he receives the mandate.
Herzog can grant an extension of up to 14 days.
