Israel's president opens talks as rivals struggle to form government

Summary

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has opened talks as rival parties struggle to form a government after a divisive election. Over two days he is meeting party leaders to decide whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or his rival Gadi Eisenkot gets the first chance to form a coalition, the New York Times and The Hindu report. The Straits Times reports that whoever Herzog tasks with forming the government will have 28 days to do so. Fox News says Netanyahu faces a critical test as Herzog decides who receives the mandate, and The Hindu reports that Herzog has urged compromise in the deeply polarised country.

Timeline

1. Straits Times

   4 Nov 2026, 02:50 UTCSource ↗

   The Straits Times reports that Israeli President Isaac Herzog has opened talks as rivals struggle to form a government, and that whoever he tasks will have 28 days to form one.

2. Fox News

   4 Nov 2026, 05:45 UTCSource ↗

   Fox News reports that Benjamin Netanyahu faces a critical test as President Isaac Herzog decides who will receive the mandate to form Israel's next government.

3. CNA

   4 Nov 2026, 06:24 UTCSource ↗

   CNA's headline reports that Israeli President Isaac Herzog has opened talks as rivals struggle to form a government.

4. New York Times

   4 Nov 2026, 20:17 UTCSource ↗

   The New York Times reports that President Isaac Herzog began meeting party leaders for two days to decide whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or his rivals get the first chance at forming a coalition.

5. The Hindu

   4 Nov 2026, 21:19 UTCSource ↗

   The Hindu reports that President Isaac Herzog began meeting party leaders to decide whether to give Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or his rival Gadi Eisenkot the first chance to form a government in the deeply polarised country.