'Stop climbing up trees': Israeli president urges parties to avert fresh election

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has urged political parties to accept the election outcome and work towards forming a government, warning that another election should be avoided. His appeal comes as neither the opposition nor the ruling coalition has secured a clear majority in the 120-member Knesset, Israel's parliament.Speaking at a memorial ceremony for Israel's first president, Chaim Weizmann, Herzog asked party leaders to acknowledge the results and find a way forward.“Stop climbing up trees and face the reality”, he said, urging political leaders to move beyond their election campaign positions and negotiate.According to The Times of Israel, Herzog said he would receive the official results from Central Elections Committee chairman Justice Noam Solberg on Wednesday, November 4.“This coming Wednesday, I will receive the official election results from the Central Elections Committee chairman… Justice Noam Solberg.”He said consultations with political parties would begin afterwards at the President's Residence, which would be open to all factions.“The President’s Residence will be wide open to all factions and parties,” he added.Herzog urges parties to avoid another electionHerzog called on political leaders to look for ways to form a government rather than take the country through another election campaign.“As we all know, during an election campaign, naturally and predictably, candidates climb high up into the trees,” he said.“But the elections are over, the election results are an established fact — they are reality. And this is the time to tell all the leaders: stop climbing the trees and face reality. This week at the President’s Residence, we will try to put up ladders, to enable the leaders to face reality, in a measured and careful manner,” he said.The final certified results are due to be submitted to Herzog on November 4, after checks for possible discrepancies. The newly elected Knesset is scheduled to take oath on November 10.Opposition faces challenge despite seat advantageThe opposition secured 67 seats in Tuesday's election, compared with 53 for the coalition led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. However, the opposition's numbers are divided between 48 seats held by Zionist parties and 19 won by Arab non-Zionist parties, making it difficult to agree on a governing arrangement.On Saturday, Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the opposition Yashar party, said he would move quickly to use the new Knesset's parliamentary majority. He argued that voters had delivered a clear verdict against Netanyahu's government.Eisenkot said he wanted to form a broad "Zionist and statesmanlike government" and that any lawmaker willing to support his basic conditions could become a partner. He also called for a major effort to prevent another election and a prolonged political deadlock.Arab parties' support and alternative proposalsThe Arab non-Zionist parties, Joint List and Ra'am, are reportedly expected to recommend Eisenkot for prime minister during their consultations with Herzog. The Jerusalem Post reported this, citing a senior Joint List official who spoke to Israeli outlet Walla.Meanwhile, opposition parties are said to be considering legislation that would introduce direct elections for prime minister. According to The Times of Israel, the proposal could offer a way to form a minority government without relying on the support of Arab parties.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.