The Media Line: Herzog Officially Accepts Election Results, Begins Coalition-Building Process  

Herzog Officially Accepts Election Results, Begins Coalition-Building Process  

By The Media Line Staff  

Israeli President Isaac Herzog formally accepted the results of last Tuesday’s election for the 26th Knesset on Wednesday, clearing the way for consultations with political parties on forming a government after neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor rival Gadi Eisenkot secured a parliamentary majority.  

The ceremony at the President’s Residence followed confirmation by the Central Elections Committee that its review had uncovered no fraud affecting the outcome, despite allegations of irregularities and foreign interference raised by Netanyahu’s Likud party.  

“The review found no evidence of irregularities that compromised the integrity of the election or affected its results,” the committee said.  

Herzog accepted the certified results from committee chair Justice Noam Sohlberg.  

“I hereby receive the official results of the elections for the 26th Knesset as you have declared them, Your Honor. I adopt them and confirm their receipt in accordance with the law,” Herzog said.  

Sohlberg warned against attempts to discredit the vote, saying even if suspected fraud were substantiated, its scale would be insufficient to change the outcome: “In recent days, we have heard voices trying to cast doubt on the election results and to undermine their legitimacy. This is a real danger.”  

“One of the foundations of democracy is the ability to have a peaceful transfer of power. This stems from the understanding that the will of the electorate obligates us all,” he added.  

Herzog denounced rhetoric directed at Israel’s Arab community following allegations of electoral fraud in the Arab sector:“I condemn the coarseness and racist expressions that we have heard recently. There is no place for them toward any community in Israel.”  

He expressed “full confidence” in the Shin Bet, police and other law enforcement agencies investigating the allegations.  

Neither Netanyahu nor Eisenkot secured the 61 Knesset seats required for a majority, leaving negotiations with smaller parties ongoing.  

Herzog urged political representatives to consider compromises during the coalition-building process.  

“In the current reality, in which there is no clear winner after the elections, I ask for originality and creativity, courage and goodwill, so that the State of Israel emerges the winner,” he said.