developing· Politics· Updated 20:21

Israeli President Herzog May Push for Unity Government if No Clear Election Winner

President Isaac Herzog is reportedly working to form a unity government following the inconclusive results of the 26th Knesset elections. According to lawmakers who spoke with Ynetnews, Herzog has met with Knesset members to emphasize the need for unity, aiming to bring together Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party and Gadi Eisenkot's National Unity party.

3 newsrooms · 2 languages · since 20:13

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Israeli President Herzog May Push for Unity Government if No Clear Election Winner — Illustration by baba

What happened

01President Isaac Herzog is reportedly working to form a unity government between Likud and National Unity after inconclusive election results.
02Knesset members told Ynetnews that Herzog is actively trying to bridge the divide between Benjamin Netanyahu and Gadi Eisenkot.
03The President's office denied the reports, stating Herzog has not discussed specific party compositions and is only focused on stability.
04Democrats party chairman Yair Golan accused Herzog of stabbing the democratic public in the back by trying to keep Netanyahu in power.
05Opposition leader Yair Lapid warned against a fake unity government and declared that his party would not cooperate with the move.
06Sources in the change bloc told Kan News that Herzog's options to prevent repeat elections could include offering Netanyahu a presidential pardon.

The reported initiative has drawn sharp criticism from opposition figures. Democrats party chairman Yair Golan accused Herzog of stabbing the democratic public in the back by trying to keep Netanyahu in power. Opposition leader Yair Lapid warned against a fake unity government, stating his party would not cooperate and calling on others to reject the move.

In response, the President's office denied that Herzog is actively pushing for a unity government, stating he is focused solely on forming a stable government and preventing repeat elections. However, sources in the change bloc told Kan News that Herzog is considering various options, which could include using a presidential pardon for Netanyahu to encourage his withdrawal from politics.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 3 newsrooms. Updated 20:32

Latest report: Kan News. Read Kan News’s original