Netanyahu, Eisenkot, Bennett must put Israel first and talk unity - editorial
President Isaac Herzog appeared very much aware of that danger when he addressed the situation on Wednesday, urging political leaders to approach the coming coalition consultations with open minds.
On Tuesday, Israelis participated in a highly engaged election, with a turnout of 77.7%, the highest in over two decades. The voters had their say after months of intense campaigning. However, the task of forming a functioning government proved to be more complex. Neither the incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Likud nor his main competitor, Yair Lapid, had a clear path to the 61 seats needed to form a government.
President Isaac Herzog warned on Wednesday that another round of elections should be avoided and expected all leaders to approach coalition talks with an open mind. The possibility of a broad Zionist government should be explored, with Netanyahu, Eisenkot, and former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett sitting down to discuss. Despite fierce campaigning, the opportunity exists for a government that could address national security concerns and create a more balanced military service framework.
While there are legitimate objections to such an arrangement, the diplomatic implications of the coalition's composition should not be overlooked, especially considering the importance of relations with the United States. Cooperation is possible, as seen in the emergency government formed after October 7, and previous attempts at governing across political divides.
The campaign may have ended, but the responsibility now lies with the leaders to explore if a unity government can bring about positive change.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
