President Isaac Herzog on Sunday called on Israel's political leaders to accept the election results and demonstrate flexibility in coalition negotiations, warning against political entrenchment that could force the country into another election, ahead of consultations at the President’s Residence set to begin on Wednesday.
“The election results are an established fact – they are the reality. And now is the time to tell all the leaders: Stop climbing trees and position yourselves in front of this reality," Herzog said while speaking at the state memorial ceremony for Israel's first president, Chaim Weizmann.
Herzog made the remarks amid the political deadlock in which the election results showed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanayhu's bloc and the bloc seeking to oust the premier both fall short of the required 61-seat Knesset majority.
Netanyahu’s bloc maintained its lead, securing 53 seats in the next Knesset, while the opposition bloc won 48. Meanwhile, the Arab parties, Ra'am and the Joint List, won a record-breaking total of 19 seats combined.
The Joint List and Ra'am are expected to recommend Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot for prime minister during consultations with President Isaac Herzog, a senior Joint List official told Walla on Sunday.
Talks at the President's Residence will begin Wednesday, when Eisenkot is expected to be the first candidate to receive the mandate from the president, giving him 28 days, with a possible 14-day extension, to form a coalition.
Along with the 48 seats won by the opposition bloc, the Arab parties' 19 recommendations would give Eisenkot 67 in total, prompting Herzog to grant him the mandate.
The Knesset is expected to be sworn in on November 10, regardless of any government or coalition talks.
By law, the president is required to consult the Knesset factions before deciding who receives the task of forming a government.
Herzog called for cooperation and open minds
Herzog said that this week, at the President’s Residence, "we will try to put up ladders to allow the leaders to position themselves in front of this reality in a measured and careful manner."
Herzog said he would receive the official election results on Wednesday from Central Elections Committee chairman and Supreme Court Deputy President Justice Noam Sohlberg.
"Following that, I will begin consultations at the President's Residence. The President's Residence will be wide open to all factions and parties."
The president emphasized the importance of cooperation among party leaders, urging them to demonstrate a willingness to consider different proposals and reach agreements.
"I have already said that I hope the representatives will come with open minds, and I add that they should come with open hearts, to listen and share ideas and find creative solutions to prevent another election," he said.
On Saturday, Eisenkot laid out four principles for joining his proposed coalition, saying that “any MK” willing to accept them could become a partner in forming the next government.
Eisenkot said he intended to establish the broadest possible Zionist, statesmanlike government, bringing together elected representatives who agree on Israel’s fundamental character, national service obligations, and the need to eliminate Hamas’s military and governing capabilities in the Gaza Strip.
Last week, Democrats party leader Yair Golan called on Wednesday for the opposition to form a coalition with the Arab parties.
Other heads of the opposition parties, Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett (B'Yachad), and Avigdor Liberman (Yisrael Beytenu), had drawn a red line to Arab parties being part of the government, saying they are not viable coalition partners after the October 7 massacre in 2023.
The political deadlock could ultimately lead to another election, although the parties may still reach an agreement through coalition negotiations. Other possible outcomes include a unity government among Netanyahu and members of Eisenkot’s bloc, or the formation of a minority government.
The Arab parties have expressed willingness to cooperate with the oppostion bloc to work toward replacing Netanyahu.
Meanwhile, opposition party leaders have also reportedly agreed that their first move after the new Knesset is sworn in on November 10 would be to oust Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, a member of Netanyahu's Likud party.
The move would require a majority in a Knesset vote and could be achievable with the support of the Arab parties, bringing the potential backing to 67 seats.
Replacing Ohana would give the opposition bloc greater control over the parliamentary agenda, including votes, legislation, and committee appointments, even if Netanyahu remains in office as head of a caretaker government.
Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.