All eyes are on Israel President Herzog as Netanyahu, Eisenkot fall short of majority

Following the recent Israeli elections, the nation finds itself in a state of uncertainty, as neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition nor the main opposition alliance has managed to secure a majority in the Knesset. With the final election results now in, President Isaac Herzog assumes a crucial role in determining which party will be given the first opportunity to form the next government.

Netanyahu's bloc emerged victorious, securing a total of 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset, which is a significant drop from the 68 seats they held during their previous term. On the other hand, the opposition alliance, led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot's party, garnered 48 seats. The remaining 19 seats were won by Arab-led parties.

To form a government, a party must achieve a parliamentary majority of at least 61 seats. As no single alliance has managed to reach this threshold, the path forward for Israel's political landscape remains uncertain.

The formal certification and submission of the election results to President Herzog are due by Wednesday, November 4. Depending on his decisions during the government formation process, the next steps could involve a variety of outcomes, including a fresh round of elections, a minority government, or a potential deal between Netanyahu and Eisenkot.

President Herzog, Israel's 11th president, was elected by the Knesset in June 2021. Before his presidency, he served as a minister in the Labor Party, including minister of welfare and social services. With no clear mandate, Herzog's choices in the government formation process will be closely watched, as they will play a pivotal role in shaping Israel's political future.