Israeli president begins coalition talks as Netanyahu and Eisenkot deadlock

Israeli President Isaac Herzog begins consultations Wednesday to select a candidate to form a government, as neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor rival Gadi Eisenkot holds a parliamentary majority after the October 27 election. The decision could trigger weeks of negotiations or new elections. Netanyahu's bloc holds 53 seats versus Eisenkot's 48 in the 120-member parliament, with 61 needed for a majority. Eisenkot could reach the threshold by allying with Arab-majority parties, which won 19 seats, though some opposition members resist relying on non-Jewish lawmakers. Netanyahu has rejected Arab support, accusing those parties of electoral fraud. Herzog, who is nonpartisan, will meet smaller parties first and may push for a unity government to address deep polarization after three years of war. The chosen candidate gets 28 days to form a coalition, with possible extensions. Netanyahu, facing corruption charges, has warned of renewed war with Iran, while Eisenkot accuses him of undermining democracy.