Israeli President Isaac Herzog is set to begin consultations with political parties following a general election that has resulted in a deadlock, with no clear path to forming a governing coalition. The election on October 27 saw the right-wing Likud party and its allies secure 53 seats in the 120-seat Knesset, while the centrist opposition bloc won 48 seats.
Adding complexity to the political landscape, two Arab-led alliances, the United Arab List and the Joint List, achieved an unprecedented 19 seats due to a surge in turnout among Arab voters. However, most Jewish parties have pledged not to cooperate with these alliances, positioning them as potential kingmakers without direct involvement in a coalition.
President Herzog, whose role is largely ceremonial but holds significant influence in government formation, received the official election results in Jerusalem. Central Elections Committee chairman Justice Noam Sohlberg presented the results amidst concerns about the legitimacy of the process. "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," Sohlberg stated.
Herzog announced his intention to begin consultations on Wednesday evening, expressing a desire to prevent further elections and build a stable government. "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 remarked.
Amidst the political maneuvering, allegations of foreign interference in the election have surfaced. Sohlberg indicated that intelligence from the Shin Bet, Israel's internal security agency, pointed to a "widespread phenomenon involving the influx of substantial funds into Israel from foreign states," some of which are considered hostile. Further investigation is deemed necessary to determine the full scale of this alleged interference.
These allegations have fueled tensions, with far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir calling for the interrogation of Arab party leaders. Conversely, Joint List chairman Yousef Jabareen accused Ben-Gvir and Prime Minister Netanyahu of attempting to "steal the election from the public." The attorney general reportedly rejected a demand from the Shin Bet chief to interrogate four Arab politicians, citing a lack of presented evidence.
President Herzog also addressed concerns about potential smearing of Arab Israelis, who constitute about one-fifth of the population. He condemned "coarseness and racist expressions" and affirmed that "there is no place for them toward any community in Israel." He expressed confidence in the Shin Bet's ability to investigate the interference claims while urging patience.