International Desk: President Isaac Herzog has said that Israel must avoid heading to the polls again after Tuesday’s vote.
“We need to do everything, certainly after yesterday, so as not to hold another election. So I expect everyone who comes here to come here with an open mind,” Herzog said during a gathering at the president’s residence.
The president said he would receive official results next week and would begin a “consultation process” on forming the next government.
As Israeli vote-counting continues, attacks by the Israeli army’s raids also continue across the occupied West Bank. Here’s the latest round-up of reports by the Palestinian news agency Wafa:
- Israeli forces demolished one house and blew up another in Beita, south of Nablus.
- The Israeli military stormed al-Sawahra al-Sharqiya, east of occupied Jerusalem.
- Israeli authorities forced a Palestinian resident to demolish his own home in Silwan, south of Al-Aqsa Mosque, while they arrested a young man in Tubas.
- At least three Palestinians were also arrested in Burqa, northwest of Nablus.
- Israeli soldiers stormed al-Mughayyir, northeast of Ramallah, and raided dozens of homes.
85.6% of the vote count is complete.
The Central Elections Committee has provided
after counting 85.6 percent of votes:
- Netanyahu’s bloc has 53 seats
- Eisenkot’s bloc has 48
- Arab parties have 19 seats.
Forming a government
• Forming a government in the 120-seat Israeli parliament, the Knesset, requires a minimum of 61 seats.
• Netanyahu’s coalition currently falls short of this “magic number” of 61. However, the tally of absentee or postal ballots—which account for approximately 14% of the total vote—has not yet been fully incorporated.
• The opposition coalition is engaged in discussions regarding the formation of a government or other strategic moves, potentially with the support of Arab parties.
• Political negotiations are likely to continue over the coming weeks, which will determine the final results and the distribution of power.
