Israel faces political deadlock as US support wavers

President urges compromise as Netanyahu and Eisenkot vie for power

JERUSALEM:

Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Wednesday urged political parties to compromise and avoid another election as he began consultations on forming a new government, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's opponents seized on the Democrats' sweeping victory in the US midterm elections to question his ability to retain power and maintain Washington's bipartisan support.

More than a week after Israel's October 27 election left parliament without a clear majority, Herzog began meeting party representatives to decide whether Netanyahu or his principal rival, former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, should receive the first opportunity to form a government.

Neither bloc commands a majority in the 120-member Knesset, leaving the country facing another potentially prolonged political impasse. Herzog called for creativity and goodwill, saying neither side could expect to fulfil every electoral commitment and warning against another round of voting.

He also condemned racist rhetoric directed at Arab political parties, which made significant gains in the election. Representing around 20% of Israel's population, the Arab minority has become increasingly influential in determining the next government's parliamentary arithmetic.

Herzog said he had great respect for the Arab minority and insisted there was no place for racist expressions against any community. His remarks came amid Netanyahu's allegations of irregularities involving Arab-majority lists and claims that their leaders had accepted money from Qatar.

However, the Central Elections Committee said an audit of 9,069 polling stations had found no evidence that could undermine the integrity of the results. The committee approved the outcome with 15 votes in favour and two against, while 14 members abstained.

The political uncertainty has been compounded by growing criticism of Netanyahu's handling of relations with the United States. His opponents argued that Democrats' capture of both chambers of Congress in Tuesday's midterm elections exposed the erosion of bipartisan American support for Israel.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid said Israel could not afford to have Netanyahu remain prime minister, warning that his continued tenure endangered national security, democracy and the country's international standing.