President Herzog Weighs Mandate After Deadlocked Election
Israeli President Isaac Herzog is holding high-stakes meetings with political leaders to decide who will first attempt to form a government following last month’s inconclusive parliamentary election. Neither incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor his chief rival, Gadi Eisenkot, secured a clear governing majority in the 120-seat Knesset, leaving the nation’s political future hanging in the balance.
Netanyahu’s right-wing nationalist coalition dropped from 68 seats down to 53, falling short of the 61-seat threshold required for a majority, according to election data reported by The Guardian. Meanwhile, the opposition Change bloc led by Eisenkot secured 48 seats. This deadlock has elevated Arab-Israeli parties to potential kingmakers after they captured a record 19 seats combined.
Opposition Bloc Secures Recommendations for Eisenkot
During consultations at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, Eisenkot amassed a total of 67 recommendations from various factions, positioning him to receive the mandate from Herzog over Netanyahu, The Jerusalem Post reported. The Yashar party, alongside factions like Yisrael Beytenu, The Democrats, Ra’am, and the Joint List, threw their weight behind Eisenkot.
“We have reached a point of no return. Giving Eisenkot the mandate is nothing less than saving Israel,” said Yashar lawmaker Orit Farkash-Hacohen, as reported by Ynetnews. Former Shin Bet chief and incoming lawmaker Yoram Cohen stated that it would be wrong to ignore the people’s desire for change following the high voter turnout in the election, while incoming lawmaker Shaul Meridor noted that the public had signaled the outgoing government had lost its trust. Incoming MK Inbar Harosh Gity says Eisenkot has shown “the stature to be a unifying leader for all Israelis, whether they voted for him or not.” Regarding the coalition process, Cohen noted, “I hope there will be no surprises,” adding, “and if there are, only pleasant ones.”
Arab Parties Back Opposition While Debating Conditions
The record voter turnout among Arab Israelis—which more than doubled to roughly 80% and accounts for 20% of the population—reshaped the political arithmetic. Leaders from both Ra'am and the Joint List recommended Eisenkot to block Netanyahu from returning to power, though they have distinct policy divides.
Yousef Jabareen of the Joint List acknowledged ideological disagreements with Eisenkot but noted that Arab voters prioritize removing the current administration, particularly far-right ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, as reported by The Guardian. In turn, Eisenkot has demanded that any prospective Arab coalition partners recognize Israel as a Jewish state, accept compulsory national or civil service, and denounce Hamas. Ra’am leader Mansour Abbas affirmed support for the full disarmament of Hamas during his consultations with President Herzog, according to Ynetnews. Abbas stated, “I have already said in the media that, in a certain sense, this is a matter of pikuach nefesh, the Jewish principle of saving human life,” adding, “We are unequivocally opposed to all acts of terrorism and violence against any human being.”
Netanyahu Alleges Vote Tampering Amid Caretaker Status
While negotiations proceed, Netanyahu remains prime minister in a caretaker capacity. His Likud party won the most individual seats in the election, performing better than many pollsters anticipated.
However, facing the prospect of losing power, Netanyahu seized upon an ongoing election committee investigation into potential vote tampering to cast doubt on the results, accusing Arab-led parties of stealing the vote. The Guardian noted that critics view these claims as an attempt to undermine democratic norms. The head of Israel’s Central Election Committee, Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg, confirmed to President Herzog that the election’s integrity remained uncompromised, stressing that a peaceful transfer of power is a fundamental pillar of Israeli democracy.
Israel’s Yashar party leader, Gadi Eisenkot, vows to prevent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from staying in power, accusing him and Likud of casting doubt on election results to undermine the democratic process. pic.twitter.com/TeuaElSZFJ
Frequently Asked Questions About the Israeli Government Formation
When must President Herzog announce who will form the government?
President Herzog is tasked with deciding which candidate should first try to form a government following consultations with parliamentary factions including Likud and Yashar.
What happens if neither candidate succeeds in building a coalition?
If neither Netanyahu nor Eisenkot manages to assemble a stable government that wins a Knesset vote of confidence, Israel will be forced to hold an unprecedented new round of national elections.
How many seats do Arab-Israeli parties hold in the new Knesset?
Arab-Israeli parties secured a record 19 seats combined in the 26th Knesset, with the Joint List holding 11 seats and Ra’am holding eight seats, making them crucial players in the ongoing coalition talks. The 48 seats won by the opposition bloc, combined with the Arab parties’ 19 seats, would give Eisenkot 67 in total.
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