Isaac Herzog Urges Unity to Avoid New Israeli Elections

President Isaac Herzog urged Israeli political leaders to approach coalition negotiations with an open mind following the October 27, 2026, general election. Provisional results show that neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor his rival Gadi Eisenkot secured a parliamentary majority in the 120-seat Knesset. Netanyahu's bloc holds 53 seats and Eisenkot's opposition bloc holds 48, while Arab parties hold 19 seats.

Under Israeli law, Herzog will consult with party representatives and name a candidate he believes has the best chance of securing the 61-seat majority required to govern. He will begin these consultations after receiving official results from Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg next week. Herzog expressed a strong desire to avoid another round of elections, suggesting he may back a unity government between the two rivals to ensure stability.

Ra’am chairman Mansour Abbas noted that current numbers are insufficient for a government and confirmed he is in contact with both sides. Meanwhile, Herzog asserted that he would not allow outside influence, specifically from U.S. President Donald Trump, to sway his constitutional discretion in the process.