Herzog begins talks to break Israel's election deadlock

Election results leave Knesset split

The election results left the 120-seat Knesset split between competing blocs. Netanyahu’s bloc holds 53 seats, while Eisenkot’s bloc secured 48 seats.

Arab parties hold the remaining 19 seats in the legislature. Political rivals are struggling to secure the support required to form a government.

Parties recommend Netanyahu and Eisenkot

Political parties have begun making recommendations to the President regarding who should lead the government. The RZP and Shas parties have recommended Benjamin Netanyahu for the role.

Meanwhile, Avigdor Liberman has backed Gadi Eisenkot to form a government.

Eisenkot is currently seeking a mandate to form a government while the President conducts consultations. Municipal elections in the country are generally held every five years, though the 2024 elections were delayed from their original October 2023 schedule due to the start of the Gaza war.

Likud alleges fraud as investigations begin

Benjamin Netanyahu and his Likud party have accused the election process of fraud, with specific claims regarding voting in Arab areas. In response, government legal adviser Gali Baharav-Mior requested that Shin Bet head Dadi Ben-Shabbat provide evidence to support these allegations.

The Shin Bet subsequently informed the Election Committee that it possesses intelligence concerning the transfer of foreign funds to influence the election and that further investigation is required. The Central Elections Committee oversees all elections in accordance with the Knesset Elections Law.

Central Elections Committee confirms audit results

The Central Elections Committee audit of the voting process found no violations that affected the integrity of the election results. Voting booths are provided on Israeli ships for elections.

Political blocs outline governing principles

Eisenkot’s opposition bloc maintains four principles, including the recognition of Israel as a Jewish state and the denunciation of Hamas as a “terrorist organization”. Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman opposes the inclusion of Arab parties in the government, while Democratic party head Yair supports an alliance with them.

The V-Dem Democracy indices downgraded Israel from a "liberal democracy" to an "electoral democracy" in 2024.

Consultation schedule for party representatives

President Herzog began consultations with smaller political parties to address the election deadlock. These formal meetings are scheduled to last two days.

The process begins with representatives from smaller parties before concluding with meetings involving Likud and Yesh Atid.

Legal framework for coalition formation

Israel operates under a system of nationwide proportional representation. The country uses a multi-party system that necessitates coalition governments, as no party has secured a majority in a national election since the Alignment alliance before the 1969 vote.

Universal suffrage is granted to all Israeli citizens aged at least 18. Citizens living abroad must travel to Israel to vote, while those in Israeli-occupied territories are permitted to vote from within those territories.

Israeli law permits three attempts to form a government. If these efforts fail, the Knesset is dissolved and new elections are called.