Israeli President Launches Coalition Consultations Following Deadlocked Knesset Election

In the October 27 election, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party, together with its far-right and ultra-Orthodox allies, won 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset. Centrist politician Eisenkot’s Yashar party and three other Jewish opposition parties in its bloc secured 48 seats.

Two Arab-led alliances, the United Arab List and the Joint List, collectively won an unprecedented 19 seats following a surge in turnout among Arab voters.

That result makes them potential kingmakers. However, all but one of the Jewish parties had pledged before the vote not to work with them to form a government.

The role of Israel’s president is largely ceremonial, but after an election the head of state is responsible for inviting a Knesset member to form a government. That person is given 28 days to do so, with a potential 14-day extension.

The president has wide discretion to select the candidate they believe has the best chance of building a coalition and is not required to choose the leader of the party with the most seats.

On Wednesday morning, President Isaac Herzog was presented with the official results by Central Elections Committee Chairman Justice Noam Sohlberg at a ceremony in Jerusalem.

“In recent days, we have heard voices trying to cast doubt on the election results and to undermine their legitimacy. This is a real danger,” Sohlberg said.

“One of the foundations of democracy is the ability to have a peaceful transfer of power. This stems from the understanding that the will of the electorate obligates us all.”

Herzog announced that he would begin the consultation process on Wednesday evening.

“In order to prevent another round of elections and to build a stable and good government here for the people of Israel, I expect the factions and their representatives to understand that, in the current reality, not every commitment and promise can be fulfilled,” he said.

The president also expressed confidence in the Shin Bet’s ability to investigate allegations of foreign interference in the election and appealed for patience.

He warned that Arab Israelis—who make up about one fifth of the population and often refer to themselves as Palestinian citizens of Israel—”must not be smeared.”

“I condemn the coarseness and racist expressions that we have heard recently. There is no place for them toward any community in Israel,” he said.

Source link