Lapid warns president against meddling in post-election coalition talks

Former prime minister Yair Lapid criticized President Isaac Herzog for pledging to prevent a second election, arguing the president lacks authority to intervene in parliamentary politics. Lapid spoke at a Times of Israel event, warning against presidential involvement in post-election coalition talks. The event featured a panel with MKs from various parties, who debated unity government, settlement policy, and the election's outcome.

Former prime minister Yair Lapid, No. 2 on the B'Yachad electoral slate, criticized President Isaac Herzog on Monday evening over his pledge to do everything in his power to prevent a second round of elections if the October 27 vote fails to produce a clear winner. Speaking at a Times of Israel event in Tel Aviv, Lapid argued that the president has no authority to intervene in parliamentary politics, warning that "there is a wall between the presidency and the Knesset." The event featured a panel discussion with MK Gilad Kariv of Yair Golan's Democrats, former minister Orit Farkash-Hacohen of Yashar, Eran Ben-Ari of Ofer Winter's People of Israel party, and Einat Wilf of Yoaz Hendel's Reservists-Economic Party. Panelists differed sharply over the possibility of a unity government with Likud, with Kariv categorically rejecting it and Farkash-Hacohen stopping short of ruling it out. They also debated settlement construction in the E1 area east of Jerusalem and the government's handling of extremist settler violence. Lapid blamed government policies for much of Israel's diplomatic isolation, saying "the majority of people who are now speaking against us don't hate the State of Israel — they hate the government of Israel."