Israel's President Yitzhak Herzog: Every effort must be made to avoid sliding into a new round of elections next week. I will begin consulting with the winning parties after receiving the official results from the election committee. I will listen to each block, ask questions and hold discussions after counting about 85 percent of the votes: the Netanyahu camp has 53 mandates, the Change Bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot 48, and the Arab parties 19. The law gives those in charge of assembling the government 28 days, which can be extended by an additional 14 days, before the possibility of holding new elections.

Israel's President Yitzhak Herzog: Every effort must be made to avoid sliding into a new round of elections next week. I will begin consulting with the winning parties after receiving the official results from the election committee. I will listen to each block, ask questions and hold discussions after counting about 85 percent of the votes: the Netanyahu camp has 53 mandates, the Change Bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot 48, and the Arab parties 19. The law gives those in charge of assembling the government 28 days, which can be extended by an additional 14 days, before the possibility of holding new elections.