-Former military chief has a few pathways to power

-Eisenkot has 28 days to try to form government with potential for 14-day extension

-He is son of Moroccan immigrants

Nov 7 (Reuters) - Israel's president on Saturday chose Gadi Eisenkot, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's strongest rival, to try to form a ​new government following a deadlocked election that left neither man with a clear path to power.

Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving leader, is ‌fighting to stay in office after his religious-nationalist coalition lost its majority in an October 27 election but still emerged as the largest bloc in parliament.

Eisenkot, a former military chief, has declined to join forces with Arab parties, with whose support he would have a majority of seats in parliament. But Arab leaders, incensed by what ​they view as the racist policies of Netanyahu and his far-right allies, still nominated Eisenkot to try to form a government ​first — giving him the most endorsements.

"President Herzog has invited Gadi Eisenkot to the President’s Residence, where he will ⁠be tasked with forming the government tomorrow," said the spokesperson of President Isaac Herzog, whose largely ceremonial role involves nominating a candidate to form a coalition ​after elections.