Israel’s President Opens Consultations After Election Deadlock

President Isaac Herzog began consultations with political parties on 4 November 2026 to decide whom to task with forming a government after Israel’s 27 October election produced no clear majority. Netanyahu’s bloc won 53 seats and Eisenkot’s opposition bloc 48 in the 120-seat Knesset. Arab-led parties won 19 seats.

Neither side reached the 61 seats required for a majority. Herzog told party leaders that not every commitment can be fulfilled if they want to avoid a new election. He called for originality and compromise. The Central Elections Committee certified the results after finding no evidence of irregularities that would affect the outcome.

Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud and its allies hold 53 seats. Eisenkot’s Yashar and other Jewish opposition parties hold 48. The two Arab alliances, the United Arab List and the Joint List, together hold 19 seats following higher turnout. Most Jewish parties pledged before the vote not to form a government with the Arab lists.

Herzog’s role is ceremonial but includes inviting a Knesset member to attempt coalition formation. The first designee receives 28 days, extendable by 14. If that fails, a second designee gets up to 28 days. If both fail, the Knesset has 21 days for a majority to recommend someone else. Failure leads to new elections within 90 days, with Netanyahu remaining as caretaker prime minister.

Eisenkot has ruled out a unity government with Netanyahu. Some reports suggested Herzog explored ideas involving a limited term for Netanyahu followed by Eisenkot, possibly linked to a pardon on Netanyahu’s ongoing corruption trial. No such agreement has been confirmed. Herzog started consultations with smaller parties before meeting the two main blocs.

The election was the first since the 7 October 2023 Hamas attacks. Turnout and results reflected deep divisions. Netanyahu’s camp raised unsubstantiated claims about Arab parties, which the elections committee rejected. Herzog condemned racist rhetoric directed at Arab parties.

Arab parties increased their representation significantly and could serve as kingmakers, though pre-election pledges limit options. A government formed with their support would mark a break from recent practice. Without them, neither major bloc has a path to 61 seats.

Consultations continue over two days. Herzog will decide on the first mandate after hearing all parties. The process could extend into late November or December if the first attempt fails. Israel faces an extended period of uncertainty while a caretaker government remains in place.

Final government formation, if successful, would determine policy direction on security, the economy and relations with the United States and other partners. If talks collapse, voters would return to the polls in early 2027.