Israel president opens talks as rivals struggle to form government

AI Summary

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has opened consultations on whom to nominate to form a government after a divisive election. Neither Benjamin Netanyahu nor Gadi Eisenkot has sufficient seats, and the coalition process could take weeks or fail, potentially leading to another election.

Israel's president begins deliberations on Wednesday on whom to task to form a government, with neither veteran Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor rival Gadi Eisenkot holding enough seats after a divisive election. President Isaac Herzog holds a largely ceremonial role, but carries the decisive vote on who will have the first chance to try to be prime minister -- a process that could last weeks or even months and may end in failure and new elections.