Herzog begins mandate talks after 48-seat opposition bloc confirmed
The President received election results at noon Wednesday and began meetings with party leaders, starting with the far-right bloc.
By Aaron Foster ·
President Isaac Herzog began formal consultations with party leaders at the President’s Residence on Wednesday, Nov. 4, to determine who will form the next Israeli government. The process started after the Central Election Commission approved the election results at noon that day.
The meeting schedule followed the size of each faction, beginning with the Religious Zionist Party. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich represented the group, which had already announced its support for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
A technical delay interrupted the early sessions. A security screening machine at the residence triggered an alert, forcing staff to halt entry to the compound until the issue was clarified, according to a residence statement.
The Central Election Commission certified the results after finding no evidence that the election integrity was compromised. This decision came despite an ongoing Shin Bet investigation into suspicions that foreign entities, including Qatar and Turkey, funneled money to influence voting in Arab communities.
Herzog is set to meet with remaining faction representatives through Thursday evening. The opposition bloc holds 48 seats, while Arab parties hold 19. If Eisenkot’s bloc secures support from those 19 members, they would total 67 seats. This majority would likely prompt Herzog to grant Eisenkot the mandate to form a government over Netanyahu.
Coalition negotiations continue amid a potential deadlock. Possible outcomes include a unity government between Netanyahu and members of Eisenkot’s bloc, a minority government, or a repeat election if no agreement is reached.
