The twelfth government of Israel was formed by Levi Eshkol on 22 December 1964, towards the end of the fifth Knesset.

Second Eshkol Cabinet
12th Cabinet of Israel
Date formed	22 December 1964 (1964-12-22)
Date dissolved	12 January 1966 (1966-01-12)
People and organisations
Head of state	Zalman Shazar
Head of government	Levi Eshkol
Member parties	Mapai National Religious Party Ahdut HaAvoda Poalei Agudat Yisrael Cooperation and Brotherhood Progress and Development
Status in legislature	Coalition
Opposition leader	Menachem Begin
History
Legislature term(s)	5th
Predecessor	11th Cabinet of Israel
Successor	13th Cabinet of Israel

Eshkol kept the same coalition partners as previously, i.e. Mapai, the National Religious Party, Ahdut HaAvoda, Poalei Agudat Yisrael, Cooperation and Brotherhood and Progress and Development. The only change to the cabinet was Akiva Govrin becoming the country's first Minister of Tourism, having been a Minister without Portfolio in the previous government.

Yosef Almogi and Shimon Peres resigned from the cabinet in May 1965 due to their opposition of the alliance between Mapai and Ahdut HaAvoda.^[1] Both joined Ben-Gurion's new party, Rafi in July.

The government served until 12 January 1966, when the thirteenth government took power following the November 1965 elections.

Israeli government formation, 1964

← 1963 22 December 1964 1966 →

Nominee Levi Eshkol Menachem Begin Party Mapai Herut Electoral vote 68 52 Percentage 56.7% 43.3%

Prime Minister before election Levi Eshkol Mapai Elected Prime Minister Levi Eshkol Mapai