Vivian Bercovici: Benjamin Netanyahu will not go quietly after indecisive election

President Isaac Herzog urged Israeli leaders to adopt open minds and forgo another election following Tuesday's vote that led to a deadlock. He emphasized the need to prevent another round of elections, stating, "We must do everything, certainly after yesterday, to avoid another round of elections." Herzog called for consultations at the President's Residence, urging everyone present to approach the discussions with an open mind.

Previous presidential interventions in political deadlocks include President Reuven Rivlin in 2019, who urged then-candidates Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz to form a unity government. Rivlin proposed a balanced government structure and reforms to address incapacity and the role of the acting prime minister. In 1984, Herzog's father, President Chaim Herzog, advocated for a unity government between the Alignment party and Likud, even granting additional time to Prime Minister Shimon Peres to form a government.

When negotiations stalled, Herzog created a small negotiating team, including representatives from Likud and the Labor Party, resulting in a unity government led by Peres and Yitzhak Shamir, based on a rotation agreement. The president reiterated his call for a broad national unity government, emphasizing its importance for Israeli society, the Jewish community in the Diaspora, and the nation's enemies.

Israeli Consul General in New York, Ofir Akunis, echoed Herzog's sentiment, calling for a broad national unity government to uphold the will of the Israeli people and the unity of the Jewish community.