Israel lost the elections: An open letter to President Isaac Herzog - opinion

Dear President Isaac Herzog,

Israel has cast its ballots, and while Likud may hold the majority of seats, the nation faces a pressing question. The election did not resolve the deep divisions that have gripped the country. Israelis exercised their democratic rights, but the country remains at a crossroads, regardless of which party ultimately forms the coalition.

This moment presents a historic opportunity for your presidency. Democracy is not about guaranteed victory, but about ensuring that losing does not mean losing one's country. I trust you understand that the conversations of those who believe the outcome was unfavorable often include plans to leave Israel altogether.

A healthy democracy requires more than simple majority rule. It demands confidence that institutions will endure, that political opponents remain legitimate, and that another election offers a chance to change direction. Yet, Israel has increasingly turned electoral competition into an existential struggle, with the loss of one election perceived as a national catastrophe.

This dangerous mindset threatens the very foundations of democracy, especially amidst Israel's ongoing security challenges. Iran and its proxies continue to pose threats, while international efforts to delegitimize the Jewish state persist. The upcoming American midterms may further complicate Washington's political direction and its impact on Israel.

Recent revelations about the massive voter turnout among Arab Israeli citizens, allegedly financed by foreign entities and siphoned through organized crime, add another layer of concern. While this could potentially invalidate the election results, it also highlights the need to investigate whether any Arab Israeli party leaders were aware of this alleged crime, including through polygraph testing.

Mr. President, this disturbing attack on our democracy presents a unique challenge. While the division in the Israeli electorate existed before this revelation, it underscores the need for a different approach. Unity may be impossible, given the political, religious, cultural, and philosophical differences that divide the nation. Instead, we must focus on interoperability - finding ways for independent groups to function within a common system while preserving their beliefs and identities.

History offers a parallel to this situation. In 1984, President Chaim Herzog faced a similar predicament, with neither major political bloc able to govern independently. Amidst war in Lebanon, economic distress, and deep political divisions, President Herzog's successor, Shimon Peres, and Yitzhak Shamir agreed to share power through a rotating premiership. They did not abandon their differing ideologies but found a mechanism to work together.

Today, as another President Herzog confronts a divided electorate and extraordinary challenges, history reminds us that deadlock need not become paralysis. Your immediate responsibility is to decide which Knesset member receives the mandate to form a government, a decision of constitutional importance but political gravity.

Your presidency's defining test is to restore confidence in the constitutional process. Find pathways to resolve the electoral stalemate, even if unity proves unattainable. Embrace interoperability, allowing diverse groups to coexist within a shared system, preserving their unique convictions and identities.

In times of crisis, cooperation can emerge from the most unexpected places. As we have seen during the Yom Kippur War and in the aftermath of October 7, 2023, citizens across the political and religious spectrum have rallied to defend the country, assist soldiers, and support displaced families. These experiences demonstrate that cooperation does not require agreement.

The challenge now is to institutionalize this understanding before another emergency forces it upon us. Mr. President, your opportunity to shape the future of Israeli democracy is more crucial than ever. Embrace interoperability, and let us navigate these troubled waters together, as one nation facing a common future.