"It's not the next star": The president's options for solving the deadlock

The article examines the options facing President Herzog after the elections: whether he will task the largest party with forming the government, try to promote a unity government, or allow a minority government. It relies on the 2009 precedent, when Peres tasked Netanyahu despite Livni winning one more seat, because Netanyahu secured 61 recommendations.

The article examines the options facing President Isaac Herzog after the elections, in which no clear majority was achieved for either side. It opens with a historical precedent from 2009, when President Shimon Peres tasked Benjamin Netanyahu with forming the government despite Tzipi Livni winning one more seat, because Netanyahu secured 61 recommendations. The article quotes Yoram Dori, Peres's former advisor, who describes how the president tried to promote a unity government but Livni refused due to lack of trust in Netanyahu. Herzog has stated he will do everything to avoid another election, but the leaders of the change bloc – Eisenkot, Lapid, and Golan – have ruled out any unity government with Netanyahu from the outset. The article discusses whether the president will settle for counting recommendations or try to promote a minority government, and what pressures are expected in the coming days.