Israeli Parties Advise President Herzog on Government Formation

President Yitzhak Herzog is continuing consultations with elected Knesset factions to determine who will be tasked with forming the next government. Several parties have already put forward their recommendations. The ultra-Orthodox party United Torah Judaism, despite pressure from Benjamin Netanyahu, declined to recommend a candidate, stating they would support whoever "guarantees the settlement of the issue of drafting Torah scholars into the IDF." Otzma Yehudit recommended Netanyahu, with representatives repeatedly claiming the "elections were stolen." The Democrats, led by Yair Golan, endorsed Gadi Eisenkot, rejecting a unity government and calling for an "emergency national government." The Arab party Ra'am also recommended Eisenkot, urging him to form a government swiftly and expressing support for a Shin Bet investigation into alleged foreign interference in the elections. Ra'am leader Mansour Abbas explained his reluctance to directly label Hamas a "terrorist organization."

Consultations began on November 4th with smaller factions. United Torah Judaism arrived first on November 5th, with MK Yitzhak Pindrus raising concerns about the drafting of ultra-Orthodox men and alleged "incitement against the ultra-Orthodox community." President Herzog questioned Pindrus on plans for drafting and the service obligations of those not studying Torah. Pindrus reiterated the party's stance on exemptions for full-time Torah scholars, referencing past legislation. Herzog also raised the issue of basic educational subjects in ultra-Orthodox schools.

Otzma Yehudit representatives, including MK Yitzhak Wasserlauf, repeatedly asserted that "the elections were stolen" and recommended Netanyahu. Wasserlauf urged the president to demand all factions recognize Hamas as a terrorist organization. Herzog countered that these claims were unsubstantiated and that an investigation was underway. He also questioned whether Otzma Yehudit's campaign was an attempt to deflect from the high Arab voter turnout, potentially a reaction to party leader Itamar Ben-Gvir's actions as Minister of National Security.

The Democrats recommended Gadi Eisenkot, advocating for an "emergency national government" and emphasizing a clear majority against Netanyahu's continued leadership. President Herzog questioned the feasibility of a minority government and the focus solely on opposition to Netanyahu, suggesting a need for broader policy discussions. MK Gilad Kariv argued that a change in policy and international standing was necessary, and that a government focused on change was supported by a 67-seat majority.

Ra'am, including leader Mansour Abbas and MK Yoav Segalovich, recommended Eisenkot and called for swift government formation. Abbas affirmed Ra'am's support for investigations into election interference. Segalovich, a former police general who joined Ra'am, criticized the political discourse and Netanyahu's rhetoric. Regarding Hamas, Abbas avoided the term "terror" but stated Ra'am's support for Hamas disarmament under a potential peace plan. He argued that Ra'am's participation in a government would not hinder its ability to combat terrorism. When pressed by Herzog, Abbas explained his nuanced position on Hamas, citing security concerns for himself and his family and emphasizing Ra'am's role as a "bridge."