Israel election results: Isaac Herzog opens coalition talks after poll deadlock

Consultations begin in Jerusalem

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has begun formal consultations with political party leaders in Jerusalem to decide who should be tasked with forming the next government. Central Elections Committee chairman Justice Noam Sohlberg handed the certified results to Herzog on Wednesday, triggering a seven-day statutory window for the president to assign the task to a prime minister-designate.

Herzog launched the meetings on Wednesday evening, speaking first with representatives from the far-right Religious Zionism party and the ultra-Orthodox Shas party, both of which support Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"In order to prevent another round of elections and to build a stable and good government here for the people of Israel, I expect the factions and their representatives to understand that, in the current reality, not every commitment and promise can be fulfilled," Herzog said during the handover ceremony.

How the Knesset seats are split

Neither of the main political blocs secured the 61 seats needed for a majority in the 120-seat Knesset following the 27 October vote. Netanyahu's Likud and its right-wing allies secured 53 seats, while former military chief Gadi Eisenkot's centrist Yashar party and its allies won 48 seats.

Arab-led alliances won an unprecedented 19 seats following strong turnout among Arab Israelis, who make up roughly 20 per cent of the population. While Ra'am formally endorsed Eisenkot, widespread pre-election pledges by Jewish-led parties against partnering with Arab factions leave the path to a workable coalition uncertain.

Allegations of foreign interference

Netanyahu and his allies have alleged widespread voter fraud and foreign interference, accusing foreign states of pouring funds into Arab communities to influence turnout. Israeli media cited reports alleging Qatari funding aimed at boosting turnout, a claim Qatar's foreign ministry categorically denied.

Justice Sohlberg confirmed that the Central Elections Committee conducted an audit across 9,069 polling stations following complaints. The committee found no evidence that would undermine the validity of the final count and ratified the results by a vote of 15 in favour, two against, and 14 abstentions.

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara rejected a request by Shin Bet chief David Zini to interrogate four Arab lawmakers, stating that no evidence of wrongdoing had been presented to justify questioning elected officials. Shin Bet subsequently confirmed it would abide by the attorney general's directives.

Herzog explicitly condemned anti-Arab rhetoric voiced during the campaign, warning against attempts to delegitimise communities or cast doubt on the electoral process.

What happens next

Herzog has until 11 November to choose a candidate to form a government. The designated leader will have 28 days to build a coalition, with the possibility of a 14-day extension subject to presidential approval.

If neither Netanyahu nor Eisenkot can assemble a 61-seat majority within the permitted timeframe, the country could face another general election.