Israeli President Urges Compromise After Election Produces No Clear Majority

Israeli President Isaac Herzog urged political factions Wednesday to compromise after October 27 elections produced no clear majority, calling for "originality and creativity" in forming a new government while condemning racist attacks against the Arab minority. Herzog will meet party representatives through Thursday following results giving Benjamin Netanyahu's camp 53 Knesset seats, opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot's bloc 48, and Arab parties 19, with 61 needed for majority. The election commission reported no irregularities despite Netanyahu's unproven fraud allegations. The president aims to avoid new elections, with a November 11 deadline to select a government-forming candidate. Tensions remain high in a society traumatized by the October 7 attack, with some opposition members refusing alliances with Arab parties.