Herzog Begins Coalition Talks as Netanyahu Faces Election Deadlock

Israel's political future entered a critical phase on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, as President Isaac Herzog received certified parliamentary election results and began consultations with party leaders to determine who should form the next government. The outcome leaves Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu facing a difficult coalition battle after neither political bloc secured the 61 seats required for a majority.

According to the Central Elections Committee, Netanyahu's bloc won 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset, while the opposition alliance led by Gadi Eisenkot secured 48. The Arab-led Ra'am and Joint List parties collectively captured a record 19 seats, potentially giving them significant influence over the government formation process.

The committee certified the results after examining 9,069 polling stations and finding no irregularities that compromised the election's integrity or changed its outcome. Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg delivered the official results to Herzog at the President's Residence.

Sohlberg warned that efforts to undermine confidence in the election could damage democratic institutions.

"A real danger" was the phrase Sohlberg used to describe attempts to cast doubt on the results, according to Al Jazeera.

During the certification process, Sohlberg also addressed allegations involving possible foreign interference.

"We presented the suspicions to the Central Elections Committee. At this stage, they remain suspicions only." Sohlberg said.

He emphasized that the allegations did not invalidate the participation of Arab voters.

"These suspicions in no way cast doubt on the voting of Arab society. A high voter turnout is a welcome thing." Sohlberg added.

Herzog urged patience while investigators examined the allegations, stressing that the process should follow established legal procedures.

"Patience is needed" Herzog said, describing the investigation as requiring a professional approach.

He also expressed confidence in cooperation among the institutions involved.

"Professionally, in cooperation among all the bodies on the special investigative team, and I trust these processes." Herzog said.

The president acknowledged tensions between security agencies and the legal system but described them as part of democratic governance.

"Tension between the Shin Bet and the legal system has existed in Israel before, and it will exist again. It is a tension built into a democratic state." Herzog said.

Herzog separately defended Arab citizens against collective accusations and discriminatory rhetoric.

"Arab society in Israel must not be smeared." Herzog said.

He called for respect toward the country's Arab community and recognition of its contributions.

"Beware of generalizations. I hold Arab society in Israel in great respect. I value its contribution to the country in every area of life, and its desire to integrate.

This is something to be welcomed." Herzog added.

He also condemned discriminatory language directed at communities in Israel.

"I condemn the coarseness and racist expressions that we have heard recently. There is no place for them toward any community in Israel." Herzog said.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu and his political allies have challenged allegations surrounding Arab parties and the election outcome. On Monday, Netanyahu defended his position and rejected a government dependent on the two Arab-led factions.

"The public in Israel does not want a government that depends on Ra'am and the Joint List—parties that support terrorism and reject the existence of the Jewish state." Netanyahu wrote on X.

He argued that Likud's electoral performance justified another term and expressed willingness to negotiate with potential coalition partners.

"A clear majority in the Jewish public chose the Likud as the largest party and me, as prime minister, to lead the next government. We aspire to form a broad government with our partners and with any party that wishes to do so and does not support terrorism. I am open to holding discussions on the matter." Netanyahu added.

However, allegations of election fraud have not been substantiated by the committee's review. Likud and Shas representatives abstained from the five-member presidium's certification vote, while representatives of Yesh Atid and Blue and White supported approval. Sohlberg cast the deciding vote.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir demanded that certification and government formation be suspended. He also called for Arab party leaders to be arrested and questioned without the attorney general's approval.

"The elections were stolen, the results are fraudulent, foreign countries interfered." Ben-Gvir wrote on X, announcing that his Otzma Yehudit party would oppose certification.

Likud legislator Amit Halevi also resigned from the elections committee, alleging that some lawmakers had obtained their positions through financial inducements and foreign influence. Qatar rejected accusations that it funded Arab-led parties.

Political negotiations now center on whether Eisenkot can assemble sufficient support. A Joint List source told Fox News Digital that the alliance would likely recommend him to Herzog. Together with Ra'am, the Arab-led parties could provide recommendations representing more than the 61 seats required.

Religious Zionism-Zehut, Shas and Otzma Yehudit confirmed that they would recommend Netanyahu. Conversely, Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Liberman, BeYachad leader Naftali Bennett and Democrats leader Yair Golan backed Eisenkot.

Former Knesset member Dov Lipman said Eisenkot would probably approach Likud before attempting to assemble an alternative coalition.

"As a first step, Eisenkot may approach Likud and ask it to join a government under his leadership, which Likud will reject. Eisenkot will then have to make a decision, as Liberman is unlikely to agree to serve in a government alongside Arab parties." Lipman said.

Defense and government affairs commentator Amir Oren said Herzog would likely favor the candidate supported by the largest number of parliamentary representatives. He also warned that Eisenkot could struggle to reconcile competing interests within the opposition alliance.

"He must then task Eisenkot with forming the next government. That does not mean Eisenkot will succeed. If he fails, he will have to return the mandate to the president." Oren said.

Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs President Dan Diker urged political leaders to consider cooperation rather than prolonged confrontation.

"I think it would behoove Netanyahu, Eisenkot, former Prime Minister Bennett and former Defense Minister Liberman to find a way to work together now, given the imminent clash between the apocalyptic death cult known as the Iranian regime, Israel and, by extension, the rest of the Western world." Diker said.

Diker also warned that opposition lawmakers could use their parliamentary strength to challenge Netanyahu's position, including through efforts to replace the Knesset speaker.

"They are doing everything they can to push Netanyahu out of office, and we are seeing that now with discussions about replacing the Knesset speaker. They can then begin trying to advance legislation in a Knesset with 19 seats held by Arab parties that would be very uncomfortable for Netanyahu." Diker said.

Oren identified another potential consequence of the political uncertainty, noting that a caretaker administration could face political constraints when considering military operations, including a possible renewed confrontation with Iran.

Herzog's consultations are scheduled to continue through Thursday, with party representatives meeting in ascending order of parliamentary strength. The president is expected to assign the mandate to the candidate with the strongest support among the factions.

The lawmaker receiving the mandate will have 28 days to form a government, with a possible extension of up to 14 additional days. If the initial candidates fail, a subsequent 21-day period will allow any Knesset member to seek support from at least 61 lawmakers.

The 26th Knesset is scheduled to begin its term on November 10, 2026. If coalition negotiations ultimately fail, Israel could face another parliamentary election early next year.