Israeli President Begins Consultations for Government Formation

President Isaac Herzog commenced consultations with Knesset factions on Wednesday to determine who will be tasked with forming the next government. The process, which began with smaller parties and will conclude with the larger ones, is expected to last until Thursday evening. The National Unity Party's Gadi Eisenkot is currently projected to receive the most recommendations.

The Ra'am party announced its decision to recommend Eisenkot, while Degel HaTorah and Agudat Yisrael stated they would not recommend any candidate. MKs Meir Porush and Elikim Stark, who recently left Agudat Yisrael, are expected to recommend Benjamin Netanyahu. National Unity Party reported completing its initial negotiations with "change and reform" parties to form a national emergency government.

During consultations, MK Orit Struk of the Religious Zionism party stated her faction would recommend Netanyahu, but expressed concern over investigations into alleged foreign influence in the elections. She also questioned the legitimacy of including "nationalist Arab parties" in government formation, citing their views on Israel's establishment. President Herzog challenged her remarks, asking how she distinguished her statements from racism. Struk defended her position, arguing that Arab citizens had the opportunity to vote for a candidate who served in the IDF but chose those who view Israel's founding as a disaster. Herzog countered by highlighting the contributions of Arab citizens, including senior police officers within Ra'am, and expressed discomfort with generalizations.

Further discussions involved MK Tzvika Mor, who raised concerns about Arab leadership's alleged aspirations and focus on Palestinian nationalism. Herzog urged against racist rhetoric, emphasizing the need for inclusivity and condemning racism. MKs from Shas and Yisrael Beiteinu also met with the President. Shas representatives criticized what they called incitement against Torah scholars and asserted their commitment to Israel's Jewish identity and the periphery. Yisrael Beiteinu reiterated its stance against sitting in a government supported by parties that do not define Hamas as a terror organization, recommending Eisenkot for his perceived chances of forming a government.

Moshe Feiglin, leader of the Zehut party, stated his intention to recommend Netanyahu, citing a commitment to the Jewish majority's choice, but also expressed a desire for repeat elections due to alleged foreign interference. He suggested that serious suspicions of election manipulation should halt the process. The consultations are scheduled to continue through Thursday, with the final recommendations expected to determine who receives the mandate to form a government.