WorldPosted at: Oct 28 2026 9:44PM


Israeli President Isaac Herzog urges political parties to approach elections with open mind amid political deadlock

Jerusalem, Oct 28 (UNI) Israeli President Isaac Herzog has urged political parties to approach negotiations with an open mind and do everything possible to avoid another election, after the latest vote left neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition nor the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot with a clear path to forming a government.
"We must do everything we can, certainly after yesterday, to avoid another round of elections. So I expect everyone who comes here to come with an open mind," Herzog said during a gathering at the President's Residence in Jerusalem on Wednesday.
Herzog said he expected to receive the official election results from Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg next week, after which he would begin consultations with each Knesset faction on forming a new government.
He also praised the exceptionally high voter turnout, describing it as a "badge of honour for Israeli society" that demonstrated the public's "desire for democracy".
The Central Elections Committee said between 430,000 and 480,000 double-envelope ballots had been cast, significantly fewer than the roughly 600,000 previously reported. The ballots, which are counted separately, were cast mainly by soldiers, prisoners, diplomats stationed abroad and others unable to vote at their designated polling stations.
Officials must verify that voters have not already cast ballots elsewhere before including the votes in the final tally. The committee said the estimate remained preliminary as ballots continued to arrive and be processed.
The full vote count is due to be released on Thursday afternoon, with the final official results expected on November 4.
Although the remaining ballots could influence the distribution of seats, their eventual impact will depend on the number of valid votes and how they are divided among the parties. With each Knesset seat estimated to represent around 40,000 votes, the outstanding ballots could potentially affect the final parliamentary balance.
The Central Elections Committee currently gives Netanyahu's bloc 53 seats and Eisenkot's bloc 48. Arab parties have secured 19 seats, a historic high. A minimum of 61 seats is required for a parliamentary majority.
About 93% of ordinary ballots have been counted, representing 85.6% of the total vote. Although the results remain provisional, officials do not expect the figures to change significantly in the immediate future.
UNI ANV CDS
Tags: #Israeli President Isaac Herzog urges political parties to approach elections with open mind amid political deadlock
More News

Israeli President Isaac Herzog urges political parties to approach elections with open mind amid political deadlock

28 Oct 2026 | 9:44 PM

Jerusalem, Oct 28 (UNI) Israeli President Isaac Herzog has urged political parties to approach negotiations with an open mind and do everything possible to avoid another election, after the latest vote left neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition nor the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot with a clear path to forming a government.

see more..

Netanyahu bloc gains slight edge over Eisenkot but political deadlock looms as neither side set to secure majority

28 Oct 2026 | 9:29 PM

Jerusalem, Oct 28 (UNI) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition has secured 53 seats against 48 for the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot, according to the Central Elections Committee, leaving both sides short of the 61 seats needed for a parliamentary majority and setting the stage for weeks of negotiations over the country’s next government.

see more..

Death toll from Spain's high-speed train crash rises to 68

28 Oct 2026 | 9:13 PM

Urda, Oct 28 (UNI) The death toll in a high-speed train collision near Urda, south of Madrid, has risen to at least 68, according to regional government sources cited by Spain's Efe news agency, as emergency crews continue searching for survivors and investigators examine the circumstances surrounding the crash.

see more..

US warns drug cartels expanding into Pacific Islands, pledges $44 million to fight trafficking

28 Oct 2026 | 7:40 PM

Washington, Oct. 27 (UNI) The United States warned that drug trafficking networks linked to Latin America are increasingly exploiting Pacific island nations as transit routes, pledging $44 million in new security assistance to strengthen regional law enforcement and disrupt cross-border criminal operations.

see more..

Flávio Bolsonaro's whereabouts unknown after Brazil cancels his passports

28 Oct 2026 | 6:42 PM

Brasilia, Oct 28 (UNI) Confusion surrounds the whereabouts of defeated Brazilian presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro after Brazil cancelled his passports, with Argentine authorities saying he crossed into their country before boarding a private flight to Ecuador that later appeared to be heading to the US.

see more..