Israeli Election Results Leave Government Formation Options Open

By דביר ג'ברה

Translated & summarized from N12 by baba

CenterNeutral tone

Hebrew · 3 newsrooms covering

Following Israel's final election results, neither Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc (53 seats) nor Gadi Eisenkot's Zionist bloc (48 seats) achieved a majority, complicating government formation. President Herzog will begin consultations next week, urging avoidance of new elections. Potential scenarios include Netanyahu or Eisenkot receiving the mandate to form a government, facing challenges in securing broad support, or the Knesset being dissolved for repeat elections.

The story in 7 lines · by baba

Final Israeli election results show no bloc with a majority, complicating government formation.
Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc secured 53 seats, Gadi Eisenkot's bloc received 48, and Arab parties got 19.
President Herzog will begin consultations next week to avoid further elections.
Scenarios include Netanyahu or Eisenkot receiving the mandate, facing coalition challenges.
A unity government with or without certain parties is a key consideration.
The possibility of Knesset dissolution and repeat elections remains.
Arab parties' role is significant, with potential for support or abstention.

Following the final election results, no single bloc has secured a clear majority, presenting multiple complex scenarios for government formation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc garnered 53 seats, while Gadi Eisenkot's Zionist bloc secured 48, and Arab parties obtained 19 seats. President Yitzhak Herzog is set to begin consultations next week after receiving the official results from Justice Solberg, urging all parties to avoid further elections.

One primary scenario involves Netanyahu receiving the mandate first. He could attempt to form a unity government with Eisenkot and his right-wing partners, though Eisenkot has stated he would refuse such an arrangement. Alternatively, Netanyahu might try to form a government with the Zionist bloc, excluding parties like Otzma Yehudit and the ultra-Orthodox parties, but this also faces potential refusal from Eisenkot and other change bloc leaders who have pledged not to join a government led by Netanyahu.

Another possibility is that Eisenkot receives the mandate, potentially due to a larger number of recommending lawmakers, including Arab parties. Eisenkot might first approach Netanyahu for a broad Zionist unity government, excluding the ultra-Orthodox and Arab parties, a proposal likely to be rejected by Netanyahu. Eisenkot could then pursue a government with the change bloc leaders, potentially with the non-opposition or even support of Arab parties.

Further scenarios include the change bloc, led by Eisenkot, attempting to form a government with parties like Yesh Atid, Yamina, Yisrael Beiteinu, and the Democrats. This would likely require the Arab parties to either abstain or actively support the government. However, Avigdor Lieberman has previously stated he would not support a government reliant on Arab votes or abstentions, potentially leading to a minority government or requiring support from unexpected factions.

A less likely scenario involves "defectors" from opposing parties being persuaded to support a government. If neither Netanyahu nor Eisenkot succeed in forming a government, the mandate could be returned to the Knesset, where a third candidate would need to secure 61 recommendations. Failing this, the Knesset could be dissolved, leading to new elections. Netanyahu could also potentially receive the mandate and then promote a bill to disperse the Knesset, as he did in 2019, though a majority for this is not currently apparent.