Israel is entering a new phase in the race to form its next government. According to local media reports, President Isaac Herzog is prepared to meet with Benjamin Netanyahu and Gadi Eisenkot to explore the possibility of a national unity administration.
The election results have left neither bloc with an outright majority. Netanyahu’s coalition has secured 53 seats, while the bloc led by challenger Eisenkot has won 48. To govern, a coalition needs at least 61 of the 120 seats in the Knesset, Israel’s parliament.
The prospect of an agreement between the main political forces stems precisely from the difficulty of assembling a parliamentary majority. Herzog is seeking to determine whether conditions exist to break the deadlock, and intends to open talks between the two leaders.
Meanwhile, Likud has leveled serious accusations over the election outcome. Netanyahu’s party claims the vote was “stolen by Arab parties that support terrorism.”
The remark has further inflamed political tensions as negotiations continue over the formation of Israel’s next government.
