Israel election results 2026 highlights: President Herzog begins coalition talks amid deadlock over government formation

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Israel election results 2026 LIVE: In case you missed it, Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Wednesday formally accepted the certified results of last week’s parliamentary elections, paving the way for consultations with political parties to determine who should be tasked with forming the next government.

The move came as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his supporters continued to allege, without providing evidence, that Arab-led parties had stolen the election, possibly with foreign assistance. Netanyahu’s religious-nationalist bloc lost its parliamentary majority, while Arab-led parties made historic gains.

Herzog is now meeting party representatives to decide which candidate has the best chance of securing a coalition majority and becoming prime minister-designate, a process that could potentially bring Netanyahu’s opponents to power.

Israel election results 2026 LIVE: President Herzog concluded his consultation with the far-right Religious Zionism party, reports Times of Israel and has begun meeting with the Sephardi Haredi Shas party.

Israel election results 2026 LIVE: Israeli President Isaac Herzog has begun consultations with political parties in the incoming Knesset to seek their recommendations on who should be appointed the country’s next prime minister, The Times if Israel reported.

Herzog will meet the smaller parties first, starting with the far-right Religious Zionism party at 8:30 pm IST (5 pm Israel time), followed by the Sephardi Haredi Shas party at 9:45 pm IST (6:15 pm Israel time).

Both parties are expected to recommend another term for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israel election results 2026 LIVE: Former Joint List party leader Ayman Odeh has been identified as the senior Arab lawmaker suspected of receiving hundreds of thousands of shekels in cash from a foreign source, according to Hebrew media reports cited by The Times of Israel.

Shin Bet chief David Zini has reportedly sought to question Odeh as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged foreign interference in Israel’s 2026 elections.

Israel election results 2026 LIVE: Israel’s Central Elections Committee (CEC) chairman Sohlberg warned that attempts to cast doubt on the legitimacy of the election results pose “a real danger” to the country’s democracy, emphasising that a peaceful transfer of power depends on respecting the electorate’s mandate.

Addressing allegations of electoral fraud, Sohlberg said CEC members had been briefed on the ongoing investigation and stressed that all suspicions must be thoroughly examined. However, he maintained that even if the allegations were proven, their potential impact would be limited and insufficient to justify withholding the election results.

“Accordingly, we publish the elections now. If evidence is found going forward it will be possible to act on the path set out by law for appealing the election results,” he said, according to The Times of Israel.

The Shin Bet had requested approval from Israel’s attorney general on Tuesday to interrogate several elected officials as part of the agency’s separate probe, including the Ra’am party leader Mansour Abbas and other senior Arab lawmakers, Israeli media reported, according to AP.

The request was sharply rejected.

“It is not permissible to interrogate citizens or elected officials without evidence to justify such action,” Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara said.

The Joint List of Arab parties condemned the request, calling it a “campaign of incitement” by Netanyahu and his allies designed to delegitimize the Arab vote. Today, the Shin Bet reportedly said they will stick to Attorney General’s instructions on the investigation.

Israel election results 2026 LIVE: Neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc nor that of his main rival, opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot, secured the parliamentary majority required to form a government in the October 27 election. This has opened up the possibility of an alliance between the two rivals or a coalition between Eisenkot and some Arab-led parties.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog is expected to hold consultations with political parties over the next few days before choosing the candidate he believes has the best chance of forming a coalition government. The decision will pave the way for weeks of negotiations.

If neither Netanyahu nor Eisenkot manages to form a government, Israel could hold fresh elections early next year.

Israel election result 2026 LIVE: Shin Bet chief David Zini has told Central Elections Committee chairman Noam Sohlberg that he will adhere to the attorney general’s instructions in the investigation into suspected foreign interference in Israel’s election, Times of Israel reported citing Channel 12.

“I won’t move an inch from what the attorney general has instructed me to do. I won’t let the country go up in flames,” Zini reportedly said.

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara’s office had said that citizens or elected officials could not be questioned without sufficient evidence, adding that anyone against whom such evidence existed would be questioned.

Zini and Sohlberg reportedly agreed that the election was conducted properly and that the probe should continue. Sohlberg believes the alleged interference is unlikely to affect the outcome, as only a few thousand voters may have been involved, compared with around 40,000 votes needed to secure a Knesset seat.

Israel election result 2026 LIVE: With neither bloc holding a majority in the 120-seat parliament after the October 27 vote, Herzog said both sides needed to accept that “not every commitment and promise can be fulfilled” and to avoid new elections.

“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,” Herzog said as he formally received the election results.

The election saw soaring support for lists from the Arab minority, descendants of Palestinians who stayed in Israel after its 1948 creation and who have largely been outraged by the harsh rhetoric and actions of Netanyahu’s hard-right government.

via AFP

Israel election result 2026 LIVE: Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Wednesday condemned what he described as racist remarks targeting the country’s Arab minority during the election campaign.

His comments came amid repeated allegations of electoral fraud by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against Arab-majority parties.

“I hold Arab society in Israel in great respect. I value its contribution to the country in every area of life, and its desire to integrate. This is something to be welcomed. I condemn the coarseness and racist expressions that we have heard recently,” Herzog said while receiving the official election results.

Israel election result 2026 LIVE: Israel’s Central Elections Committee (CEC) chair Sohlberg warned that attempts to undermine the legitimacy of the election results pose “a real danger” to the country’s democracy, stressing that a peaceful transfer of power depends on respecting the electorate’s mandate.

Referring to ongoing investigations into alleged electoral fraud, Sohlberg said CEC members had been briefed on the probe and that the suspicions must be thoroughly investigated. However, he maintained that even if proven, their impact would be limited and would not justify withholding the results.

“Accordingly, we publish the elections now. If evidence is found going forward it will be possible to act on the path set out by law for appealing the election results,” he said, according to Times of Israel.

Israel election result 2026 LIVE: Israeli president Isaac Herzog has addressed the apparent political stalemate thrown up by the election, saying that parties must compromise in order to avoid new elections.

“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,” Herzog said on Wednesday during a press conference.

“The one test I ask the factions and their representatives to keep before them when they come here is this: what is truly best for the country at this time,” he added further.

Following the October 27 vote, Netanyahu’s bloc recieved a total of 53 seats and Gadi Eisenkot’s bloc recieved 48 seats, both failing to secure the majority mark of 61. Meanwhile, Arab parties Joint List and Ra’am also secured a combined 19 seats, marking a record win.

Israel election results 2026: Israel’s Central Election Committee chairman Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg has stated that those casting doubt on the election results pose “a real danger” to Israel’s democracy.

Speaking at the press conference to hand over the published results to President Herzog

“In recent days, we have heard voices trying to cast doubt on the election results and to undermined their legitimacy. This is a real danger,” says Sohlberg.

“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,” the chief added further.

Israel election results 2026 LIVE: Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Wednesday condemned what he called racist remarks during the election season targeting the country’s Arab minority.

The President’s remarks come after repeated allegations promoted by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of fraud by Arab-majority parties.

“I hold Arab society in Israel in great respect. I value its contribution to the country in every area of life, and its desire to integrate. This is something to be welcomed. I condemn the coarseness and racist expressions that we have heard recently,” Herzog said upon receiving the official election results.

Israel election results 2026 LIVE: The Eisenkot bloc, comprising of Yashar, B’Yachad, The Democrats and Yisrael Beytenu, have announced they will back Gadi Eisenkot as the next prime minister of Israel.

In a meeting on Tuesday, the leaders also issued a joint statement, which said they will back Eisenkot as part of their bid to oust Netanyahu from the government.

Israel election results 2026 LIVE: As per Israeli media reports, President Herzog will begin consultations at 5pm local time (8:30pm IST).

Herzog is expected to invite faction representatives in ascending order of Knesset seats, beginning with the Religious Zionism Party-Zehut, Shas, and Yisrael Beytenu, reported Jerusalem Post.

Both the Religious Zionist Party, led by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and Shas, led by Aryeh Deri have stated Tuesday that they would recommend Netanyahu for prime minister.

Meanwhile. Yisrael Beytenu, led by Avigdor Liberman, announced that his party will recommend Gadi Eisenkot for prime minister.

Israel election result 2026 LIVE: Israeli President Isaac Herzog has received the official election results from Central Elections Committee chairman Justice Noam Sohlberg on Wednesday.

Herzog will now consult the Knesset factions before deciding who receives the task of forming a government.

Israel election results 2026 LIVE: Yair Golan, who heads the Democrats party in the Change bloc accused the Shin Bet chief of working on behlaf of Netanyahu.

“Zini has turned the Shin Bet into a political tool in the service of Netanyahu’s campaign to undermine the election results. This is a grave warning sign. The heads of the Change bloc must understand the gravity of the moment and the urgency in forming a change government. We have no time to waste. The next government will need to thoroughly examine the appointments made by Netanyahu, including Zini’s appointment, and ensure that the security institutions serve the State of Israel and its citizens, not political interests,” he said.

Israel election results 2026 LIVE: Israeli electoral authorities on Wednesday rejected allegations promoted by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of fraud by Arab parties, who could hold the key to removing him from power after a divisive vote. The Central Elections Committee said it had conducted an audit of 9,069 polling stations following complaints and was confident that the announced results “accurately reflect the will of the voters”. “All complaints submitted by political factions have been reviewed and there were no findings indicating harm to the integrity of the election,” it said in a statement. (AFP)

Israel election results 2026 LIVE: Yair Lapid, a leading political opponent of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has warned that Netanyahu’s allies are directly threatening to steal the election.

According to a Al Jazeera report, Lapid accused the Netanyahu camp of trying to delegitimize the election results following largely unsubstantiated claims that foreign interference manipulated votes for Arab parties that performed strongly.

“What we are witnessing tonight is an attempt to suppress democracy and steal the election with the help of government officials within the security establishment,” Lapid said, adding that his actions post a threat to democracy from people unwilling to accept defeat.

Israel election results 2026 LIVE: Amid the Netanyahu bloc’s allegations of voter fraud and theft, N12 has reported that Shin Bet is also investigating into the alleged involvement of Palestinian Authority in last week’s elections.

The suspicions are being examined as part of a broader Shin Bet investigation into alleged foreign interference in the election, including claims that money originating in Qatar was transferred to a political figure in the Joint List, which comprises the Arab parties Hadash, Ta’al, and Balad.

These reports also come after the Central Election Committee has denied allegations of voter fraud and manipulation in the Israel elections.

Israel election results 2026 LIVE: Israeli security agency, Shin Bet, has told the Central Elections Committee that intelligence gathered points to widespread foreign funding and influence operations in Israel’s election involving “thousands of people and possibly more.”

The agency’s claim comes as Netanyahu and allies have alleged voter theft and fraud after Arab parties Joint List and Ra’am secured a record 19 seats in the elections.

While the election commission has denied any voter fraud, the Shin Bet has stated it needs to conduct further investigative work before it can establish the scale of the alleged activity with a high degree of certainty.

Israel election results 2026 LIVE: Israeli Democrats leader Yair Golan has issued a sharp critique of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, warning that his continued leadership risks severe diplomatic fallout and international isolation for Israel.

Reacting to the political shift in the United States, Golan took to social media to argue that the election outcomes demonstrate deep bipartisan alienation, asserting that the results “reveal just how toxic Netanyahu is among both Democrats and Republicans”

“Israel needs a government that will restore its standing in the world, promote long-term political-strategic arrangements, and ensure its security,” Golan said.

Contrasting two distinct national futures, he framed the current political juncture as a stark choice, “Netanyahu’s Israel — ‘Super Sparta’, boycotted, backward, and isolated — or a strong, advanced, free, and secure Israel.”

Israel election results 2026 LIVE: Israel’s Central Elections Committee has voted to ratify the results of last week’s vote. However, two parties abstained from the vote over allegations of voter fraud and theft by Arab parties.

Likud Party, led by incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu abstained from voting. Netanyahu ally party, Shas, led by Aryeh Deri, also abstained from the ratification.