AssetID: 56131486
Headline: UNCAPTIONED: Israel's President Begins Talks to Break Election Deadlock
Caption: Israel's President Begins Talks to Break Election Deadlock. Israeli President Isaac Herzog has begun consultations with political parties to determine who should be given the first opportunity to form the country's next government, following an inconclusive election. Neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor his main rival, former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, secured the 61 seats needed for a parliamentary majority in the 120-member Knesset. Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc emerged ahead with 53 seats, compared with 48 for Eisenkot's opposition alliance, while Arab-majority parties secured a combined 19 seats. Herzog, whose role in the process is largely ceremonial but constitutionally significant, has called on political leaders to explore possible compromises and avoid another election. His consultations are expected to include discussions about a possible national unity government, although opposition leaders have so far ruled out joining a coalition led by Netanyahu. The opposition has accused the prime minister of undermining democratic institutions and blamed his government for failing to prevent the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks. Netanyahu alleged that Arab-Israeli parties were involved in electoral fraud, claims strongly rejected by their leaders and for which Israel's attorney general has said no evidence was submitted. Herzog will ultimately decide whom to nominate to form a government, with the candidate having 28 days, potentially extendable by another two weeks, to secure a coalition. Instructions: THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT
Keywords: Current Affairs & Politics,Isaac Herzog,Israel,president,consultations,deadlock,majority,negotiations,government,Benjamin Netanyahu,Arab parties,opposition,Gadi Eisenkot,calls,unity,seats,Knesset,legislative,elections,Tel Aviv,Jerusalem,Hamas
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