Israeli President Calls for Post-Election Compromise, Expresses Strong Respect for Arab Community

Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Wednesday slammed comments he considered racist towards the country's Arab minority as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested that Arab-majority parties committed fraud during the election.Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Wednesday condemned what he said were racist statements against the country's Arab minority, and urged political leaders to find a compromise on forming the next government after Netanyahu claimed Arab parties rigged the results.

I have a high level of respect for Arab society in Israel, its contribution to Israel in all aspects of life and its desire to be integrated into it. This is welcomed. “This coarseness and racist language is something that we have witnessed in recent years and I condemn it,” Herzog said at the time of the official election results, Reuters reports.

His comments come as tensions rise ahead of Israel's Oct. 27 election, when no two political factions won a majority in the 120-seat parliament.

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Given that none of the alliances is able to form the 61 votes required for a majority, Herzog is playing a pivotal role in forming the government. He consults with representatives from the factions in the Knesset and must choose which member is best suited to be able to form a government and gain the Knesset's confidence.

The country's first elections since it was attacked by Hamas on 7th October 2023 also saw an uptick in pro-Arab political lists.

Herzog calls for compromise

As no candidate appeared to be a clear winner after the election, Herzog asked political leaders to come together and not to vote again.

He started talks with the party leaders over which prime minister, Netanyahu or his rival Gadi Eisenkot, should have the first chance to form a government, AFP reported.

“In the reality that we see here today, where there is no clear “winner” after the elections, I seek originality and creativity, courage and goodwill, so that in the end the State of Israel will be the “winner”.

He also warned that compromises would be needed by political leaders, as "not every commitment and promise can be met".

Netanyahu aims for lists comprised mainly of Arabs

Netanyahu alleged electoral irregularities by Arab-majority lists during the election, referring to the arrests of several individuals who were caught with envelopes filled with cash on election day. These were described as ‘localised’ by the authorities. He also charged Arab party leaders of taking money from Qatar, a charge that has also been made against aides of the prime minister.

An audit of 9,069 polling stations after complaints was conducted, however, did not uncover anything that would question the integrity of the results, the Central Elections Committee stated.

The investigations of allegations would be continued, but not likely to significantly alter the result, said Justice Noam Sohlberg, who chairs the committee. He also pointed out that the results, once lawfully determined, were binding on all.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who is head of the nationalistic party, said that his party would reject the results and urged arresting the leaders of the Arab-Israeli parties.

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Opposition denounces the unity government offer

Israel's former military chief, Eisenkot, who is on a mission to bring together the centre and the centre-right, has charged Netanyahu's Likud party with trying to carry out a "pogrom against democracy".

Netanyahu, who has been in power for almost 20 years as Israel's prime minister on various occasions, has urged a wide national coalition government to lead the nation. He's also charged with corruption, which could result in his imprisonment if he is forced from power.

But Eisenkot and his allies have rejected the idea of a unity government.

Herzog is slated to make two days of preliminary consultations to allow a contender 28 days to put together a government, which can be extended for 14 days if needed.

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