Herzog Urges 'Open Heart' Talks as Israel Faces Coalition Deadlock

Key points

• President Herzog urged parties to negotiate with an 'open heart' to prevent a second election, emphasizing the need to accept the election results as a reality.
• Netanyahu’s coalition won 53 seats, while Eisenkot’s opposition bloc won 48; Arab-led parties secured 19 seats, holding the balance of power but previously rejected by both main blocs.
• Eisenkot set four conditions for coalition partners, including recognizing Israel as a Jewish state, mandatory military service, and designating Hamas as a terrorist organization.
• Netanyahu accused Arab parties of foreign interference and called it 'forbidden' to govern with Ra’am leader Mansour Abbas, despite Abbas signaling willingness to cooperate with the opposition.
• Herzog must decide who gets the first attempt to form a government by November 11, with a 28-day window (extendable by 14 days) to build a coalition before a new election is triggered.

Background

This follows the October 27 elections, which ended Netanyahu’s coalition’s majority but failed to give the opposition a clear path to power. Previous coverage highlighted the fragmented nature of the Knesset and the high risk of a second election due to the refusal of major blocs to ally with Arab-led parties. Netanyahu had faced scrutiny over security warnings prior to October 7, but the current focus is on the post-election coalition formation process.

How outlets are covering it

NBC News and Al Jazeera emphasize the procedural steps and Herzog’s role in breaking the deadlock, noting the tight timeline and the potential for a minority government or unity deal. The New York Times frames the situation as a test of Netanyahu’s political savvy, highlighting that Likud remains the largest single party despite losing seats. The Atlantic focuses on the cultural and political shock in Tel Aviv, describing the election results as a failure of the liberal left and a moment of truth for Israel’s democratic ethos. All sources agree on the seat counts but differ in emphasis: NBC and Al Jazeera focus on the mechanics of coalition-building, while The Atlantic and NYT highlight the political implications and the risk of a second election.

Why it matters

The outcome determines whether Israel will have a stable government or face a second election, which could further polarize the country. The potential for a coalition involving Arab-led parties, or a minority government relying on external support, has significant implications for Israeli domestic policy, relations with the Palestinian territories, and the status of the Gaza conflict. A deadlock could prolong Netanyahu’s caretaker status and delay critical decisions on security and foreign policy.

What to watch

Herzog will begin consultations with party leaders on Wednesday to decide who gets the first shot at forming a government. The chosen candidate has 28 days to build a coalition, with a possible 14-day extension. If no government is formed, a second candidate may be tried, followed by a third, before the Knesset is dissolved and new elections are called within 90 days. Netanyahu remains caretaker PM until a new government is formed.