Guardian: ‘strongest rival’, Interfax: ‘oppositionist’ – Eisenkot handed mandate to form Israeli government
Israel’s president Isaac Herzog has tasked Yashar leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming a government. Western outlets frame the move against a deadlocked Knesset, while Russia’s Interfax reports only the handover of the mandate and Herzog’s words.
What Western media report
The Guardian (UK) writes that Herzog chose Eisenkot, prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s “strongest rival”, after an election left the Knesset deadlocked because Netanyahu’s coalition lost its majority. According to the paper, the president’s office told Eisenkot on Saturday night of its intention to task him. Deutsche Welle (Germany) says Herzog was to formally assign the mandate on Sunday, and that Netanyahu’s coalition won 53 seats in the 27 October election, eight short of a majority, with Likud the largest bloc on 27. DW adds that Yashar holds 21 seats, Eisenkot’s alliance of four parties 48, and two Arab parties a record 19, and that the Arab parties’ recommendation gave Eisenkot the most backing. DW also notes Eisenkot had initially rejected an alliance with Arab parties and has 28 days, extendable by 14, to form a government.
What media from these countries report: Russia
Interfax (Russia), an outlet under state control or influence, reports, citing The Times of Israel, that Herzog on Sunday tasked Eisenkot, whom it calls the opposition leader and head of the “Yashar” party, with forming a government. The agency quotes Herzog at the ceremony handing over the mandate as expecting Eisenkot to do everything to form a government that serves the whole nation. Interfax gives no seat numbers, no mention of the Arab parties and no deadlines.
Differences
- Labels: The Guardian and DW describe Eisenkot as Netanyahu’s “strongest rival”/main opponent, while Interfax calls him an “oppositionist” and opposition leader.
- Detail: DW supplies figures (53, 27, 21, 48 and 19 seats) and deadlines; Interfax omits them and reduces the story to a Herzog quote.
- Sourcing: Interfax relays The Times of Israel; The Guardian cites the president’s office.
- Timing: The Guardian refers to notification on Saturday night, DW to a formal assignment on Sunday, and Interfax reports the ceremony took place on Sunday.
- Context: The Guardian and DW mention the lost coalition majority and parliamentary deadlock; Interfax does not.
Where they agree
- All outlets report that Herzog tasked Eisenkot with forming a government.
- All link him to the Yashar party and describe him as being in opposition to Netanyahu.
Sources: read the originals
Western media
- Israel
- Gadi Eisenkot
- Isaac Herzog
- Netanyahu
- Knesset
North America
Europe
Europe
Africa
Comments
No comments yet. Be the first.