Israel's President Begins Consultations After Election Deadlock

Israeli President Isaac Herzog began formal consultations with political parties on November 4, 2026, after receiving the certified results of the October 27 general election. Neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing bloc nor the opposition alliance led by Gadi Eisenkot obtained the 61 seats required for a majority in the 120-member Knesset.

Netanyahu's Likud and its far-right and ultra-Orthodox allies secured 53 seats. Eisenkot's Yashar party and allied Jewish opposition parties won 48. Arab-led parties, including the United Arab List and the Joint List, gained 19 seats, an unusually high total. Central Elections Committee chairman Justice Noam Sohlberg presented the official results to Herzog in Jerusalem. Sohlberg stated there was no evidence of irregularities that would justify delaying certification, despite claims from Netanyahu's camp regarding Arab-led parties.

Herzog told party leaders that not every commitment could be fulfilled if the country was to avoid a new election. He has urged participants to approach the process with an open mind. The president will designate one Knesset member to attempt to form a government. That person receives 28 days, with a possible 14-day extension. If the effort fails, Herzog can select another candidate. A further 21-day period allows a majority of 61 members to request a different designee.

The new Knesset is scheduled to be sworn in on November 10. Informal talks have already taken place. Most Jewish parties have pledged not to form a government that relies on Arab parties. Eisenkot has ruled out such partnerships. Netanyahu has likewise rejected coalitions that include them. This leaves both blocs short of a majority without cross-bloc agreements or other arrangements that appear difficult under current statements.

Herzog has previously emphasized the need to avoid another election. If all attempts fail, Israel would return to the polls, likely in early 2027, with Netanyahu remaining as caretaker prime minister in the interim. The caretaker period would occur amid ongoing regional security issues, including the Iran conflict and the aftermath of the Gaza war.

Arab parties increased their representation substantially compared with prior elections. Their seats create a theoretical kingmaker role, yet the stated positions of the main Jewish blocs limit that influence for now. Turnout reached 77.9 percent. Absentee ballots from soldiers, diplomats, and others were counted before certification.

The deadlock extends a period of political uncertainty. Coalition negotiations could last weeks or months. Any government that emerges will need to address security, economic, and internal political questions that the election itself did not resolve. Herzog's consultations will determine who receives the first opportunity to break the impasse.