Herzog launches coalition talks as Israel faces government gridlock

Israel’s political system has entered a critical phase of uncertainty following the recent general election, which produced no decisive winner. President Isaac Herzog has officially begun consultations with party leaders to determine who will attempt to form the next government.

The election held on 27 October resulted in a fractured parliament. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party, along with its far-right and ultra-Orthodox allies, secured 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset. Gadi Eisenkot’s centrist Yashar party and three other opposition parties won 48 seats. Neither side holds the 61 votes required to govern.

A third force now holds the balance of power. Two Arab-led alliances, the United Arab List and the Joint List, won a combined 19 seats. This surge in representation makes them essential partners for any coalition. However, most Jewish parties pledged before the vote not to work with them, creating a difficult negotiating environment.

Herzog received the official results from Central Elections Committee chairman Justice Noam Sohlberg in Jerusalem on Wednesday morning. Sohlberg stated that electoral officials found no evidence of irregularities. He rejected claims by Netanyahu’s camp that Arab-led parties stole the election, saying those unsubstantiated claims did not justify delaying the certification of results.

The security service Shin Bet is currently investigating allegations of foreign interference. Sohlberg reported that intelligence points to a widespread influx of substantial funds from foreign states, some of which are hostile to Israel. He said further investigation is needed to determine the scale of this phenomenon with certainty. Last week, media reports claimed Qatar provided funding to increase voter turnout in Arab communities, an allegation the Qatari foreign ministry categorically denied.

Herzog announced the start of the consultation process on Wednesday evening. He told party leaders that if they wish to avoid another election, they must accept that not every commitment and promise can be fulfilled. The president has wide discretion in choosing a candidate to form a government and is not required to pick the leader of the largest party. The selected member has 28 days to build a coalition, with a possible 14-day extension.

Tensions remain high regarding the investigation into foreign interference. Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called on the Shin Bet to arrest leaders of Arab parties and interrogate them until suspicions are clarified. Joint List chairman Yousef Jabareen accused Ben-Gvir and Netanyahu of attempting to steal the election from the public.

Eisenkot alleged on Tuesday that Netanyahu and Likud were trying to carry out a pogrom against democracy. This followed Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara’s rejection of a demand by Shin Bet chief David Zini to interrogate four Arab politicians. Baharav-Miara said no evidence of wrongdoing had been presented. Likud accused the Attorney-General of obstructing the investigation to cover up manipulation by foreign actors.

Herzog expressed confidence in the Shin Bet’s ability to investigate the interference claims and appealed for patience. He warned that Arab Israelis, who make up about one-fifth of the population, must not be smeared. He condemned the coarseness and racist expressions heard recently, stating there is no place for them toward any community in Israel.

The next step is for Herzog to decide whom to task with forming the government. The 28-day clock starts once he makes that choice. Parties must now negotiate their demands while the Shin Bet continues its work on the foreign funding allegations.