Israeli president begins coalition consultations; UTJ split, Joint List undecided

Israeli President Herzog has formally accepted election results and initiated coalition formation talks, confirming Netanyahu and his allies lost their parliamentary majority. The political landscape remains fragmented, with no clear path to a governing majority, indicating protracted negotiations or potential for a fifth election. Confidence in this assessment is High.

Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot is expected to be tasked with forming the next Israeli government after securing recommendations from 67 Knesset members, including significant support from Arab parties. While this provides a theoretical majority, the viability of a coalition remains uncertain due to historical reluctance among some opposition factions to govern with Arab parties. The situation indicates a potential end to Netanyahu's tenure, but prolonged negotiations or a snap election remain possibilities.