President Reuven Rivlin gives Blue & White leader Benny Gantz the mandate to form the next government after he secured the support of 61 MKs.
"A fourth round of elections are not possible and the keys to forming a government in Israel are currently in your hands and those of all elected officials from all parties," Rivlin says at the ceremony in Jerusalem.
Rivlin also addressed the need for the quick formation of the government in order to tackle the coronavirus crisis.
"The law gives you twenty-eight days, starting tomorrow, for forming a government. This is a short period, but given the current circumstances of a national and global emergency, it is too long. The urgency of the hour and the size of the challenges before demand that we form a government in Israel."