Herzog begins coalition talks after inconclusive Israeli election

By Nathan Morley

Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Thursday began consultations with political parties to determine who should be given the mandate to form the country's next government, after a general election produced no clear winner.

Neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc nor that of his main rival, Gadi Eisenkot, secured a parliamentary majority, leaving Israel facing another period of political uncertainty.

In last month's election, Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party and its far-right and ultra-Orthodox allies won 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset. Eisenkot's centrist Yashar party and three allied opposition parties captured 48 seats.

Two Arab-led alliances, the United Arab List and the Joint List, won a combined 19 seats, their strongest showing to date, buoyed by a surge in voter turnout among Israel's Arab minority.

Despite their electoral gains, Arab parties remain largely excluded from coalition calculations. Most Jewish opposition leaders have rejected cooperation with them, despite offers to support efforts to oust Netanyahu.

However, some political analysts say Eisenkot could attempt to form a minority government with outside backing from Arab lawmakers, persuade defectors from Netanyahu's bloc, or negotiate a unity government. Each option faces significant obstacles.

If no viable coalition can be assembled, Israel could be forced into another election, with Netanyahu remaining in office as caretaker prime minister.

Meanwhile, Israel's Shin Bet security service is investigating allegations of foreign interference in the election. Officials have said the claims are not expected to alter the overall outcome.

Israeli media reported last week that the Central Elections Committee had received allegations that Qatar provided funding intended to boost turnout in Arab com

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