Israel's president starts coalition talks after inconclusive election

Israel's President Isaac Herzog began consultations with political parties Wednesday on forming a coalition after last week's election produced no clear winner, warning leaders that "not every commitment and promise can be fulfilled" to avoid another vote. Official results showed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud and allies won 53 of 120 Knesset seats, while centrist Yashar and three opposition parties secured 48. Two Arab-led alliances won a record 19 seats, making them potential kingmakers, though most Jewish parties pledged not to work with them. Electoral officials dismissed Netanyahu's camp's unsubstantiated claims of Arab parties "stealing" the election, while the Shin Bet investigates alleged foreign interference. Herzog condemned racist expressions toward Arab Israelis, who comprise about one-fifth of the population.