President Isaac Herzog received the official election results from Central Elections Committee chairman Justice Noam Sohlberg on Wednesday, ahead of consultations with party representatives on whom they recommend to form the next government.
"I will now begin the process of consultations on tasking a member of Knesset with forming the government," Herzog said after receiving the results, ahead of discussions at the President's Residence set to take place in the afternoon.
By law, the president is required to consult the Knesset factions before deciding who receives the task of forming a government.
The CEC approved the election results given to Herzog on Wednesday morning, after finding no evidence of compromised election integrity. The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) has been investigating suspicions of foreign entities, such as Qatar and Turkey, allegedly funneling money into Israel to influence voting in Arab communities.
Sohlberg said that after presenting Herzog with the results, in recent days, there have been voices seeking to cast doubt on the election results and that this poses a "real danger" to democracy.
“We presented the suspicions to the Central Elections Committee. At this stage, they remain suspicions only."
"These suspicions in no way cast doubt on the voting of Arab society. A high voter turnout is a welcome thing," Solberg added.
Herzog warns against impatience in investigation
Herzog said regarding the investigation that "patience is needed" and that the investigation will be carried out "professionally, in cooperation among all the bodies on the special investigative team, and I trust these processes."
"Tension between the Shin Bet and the legal system has existed in Israel before, and it will exist again. It is a tension built into a democratic state," he added.
Herzog also warned that Arab society in Israel "must not be smeared."
"Beware of generalizations. 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. There is no place for them toward any community in Israel," Herzog added.
After the consultations, Herzog is expected to grant the mandate to the candidate who receives the backing of the largest number of party representatives.
Throughout Wednesday, Herzog will invite faction representatives in ascending order of Knesset seats, beginning with the Religious Zionism Party-Zehut, Shas, and Yisrael Beytenu.
The consultations will continue with other parties on Thursday into the evening.
Both the Religious Zionist Party, led by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and Shas, led by Arye Deri - who have also been key partners in Netanyahu’s coalition - stated on Tuesday that they would recommend Netanyahu.
Meanwhile, Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Liberman has announced that he would recommend prime ministerial candidate, Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot.
Other party leaders in the opposition bloc, Naftali Bennett (B'Yachad), and Yair Golan (the Democrats) have also stated that they would recommend Eisenkot, with the aim of avoiding another election.
Netanyahu bloc maintains lead over opposition, Arab parties break records
The election results showed that Netanyahu’s bloc maintained its lead, securing 53 seats in the next Knesset, while the opposition bloc won 48. The Arab parties, Ra’am and the Joint List, won a record-breaking 19 seats combined.
The political deadlock could ultimately lead to another election, although the parties may still reach an agreement through coalition negotiations. Other possible outcomes include a unity government between Netanyahu and members of Eisenkot’s bloc, or a minority government.
Along with the 48 seats won by the opposition bloc, the Arab parties' 19 recommendations would give Eisenkot 67 in total, prompting Herzog to potentially grant him the mandate over Netanyahu.
On Sunday, Herzog called on Israel's political leaders to accept the election results and demonstrate flexibility in coalition negotiations, warning against political entrenchment that could force the country into another election.