Israel: Herzog accepts vote results and opens talks on forming government

Herzog begins consultations

Herzog accepted the certified election results and began meeting party leaders to hear whom they support for the task of forming a government. He said the election was over and called for leaders to confront the situation.

The consultations have not produced a clear winner. Three factions aligned with Netanyahu’s religious-nationalist base recommended him, while another faction backed Eisenkot, a former Netanyahu ally who became a rival.

Arab-led parties could decide

Ra’am said it would recommend Eisenkot, bringing his expected backing to 56 lawmakers, according to Ynet. That total remains below the 61 seats needed for a majority. The Joint List, which holds 11 seats, has not declared its position. Channel 12 reported it might support Eisenkot or abstain, depending on his preference; its backing could lift him beyond 61.

Coalition tensions and claims

Degel HaTorah, which holds four of United Torah Judaism’s seven seats, said it would recommend neither candidate. The faction split with Netanyahu over his coalition’s failure to pass a law exempting Haredi men from military service, The Times of Israel reported.

Netanyahu and supporters have repeatedly alleged that Arab-led parties stole the election, possibly with foreign help, but the claims are unsubstantiated. Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara rejected a request to question elected officials because it lacked supporting evidence.

Another election remains possible

If neither candidate can form a government, Israel would hold another election early next year. Herzog urged leaders to show creativity, courage and goodwill, and condemned what he called recent racist language.