Netanyahu faces coalition test as rivals seek to form Israel's next government

Israeli President Isaac Herzog begins consultations Wednesday with party leaders to decide who will form Israel's next government, testing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's hold on power. Netanyahu's bloc holds 53 Knesset seats versus 48 for the opposition, with 61 needed to govern. The opposition alliance led by Gadi Eisenkot may receive backing from Arab parties Joint List and Ra'am, which won 19 seats combined, potentially giving them kingmaker status. Netanyahu has rejected depending on these parties, which he accuses of supporting terrorism, while analysts say Eisenkot may struggle to build a coalition. If Eisenkot fails, the mandate could pass to Netanyahu, who may also fail, triggering a 21-day period for any lawmaker to seek 61 supporters. Analysts suggest a national unity government between Likud, Yashar and BeYachad remains possible, though past power-sharing agreements have collapsed.