‘Repeat elections must be the very last resort’: Herzog warns of political deadlock

President Isaac Herzog said Wednesday that Israel must establish a commission of inquiry into the failures surrounding the October 7 attack, while also urging political leaders to avoid another round of elections if the upcoming vote fails to produce a clear majority.

In an interview with i24NEWS Hebrew Channel, Herzog addressed reports of a possible warning from United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan before the attack, the prospect of an electoral deadlock and his proposal to mediate in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s criminal trial.

Herzog rejected claims that the Emirati president had warned him of an imminent war or terrorist attack before October 7.

“He did not warn me about the possibility of war or a terrorist attack,” Herzog said. He confirmed that the two had spoken several months before October 7, but said their conversation focused on the deep divisions in Israeli society over the government’s judicial overhaul and the large-scale protests it had triggered.

Herzog said he did not know whether Sheikh Mohammed had held a separate conversation with Netanyahu and had not asked the Emirati leader about the report.

“I do not intend to be the one to investigate that,” Herzog said, adding that the controversy demonstrated the need for a thorough examination of the events leading up to October 7.

The president reiterated his support for establishing an official state commission of inquiry. However, he said he would not endorse a specific proposal during the election campaign because the issue had become part of the political dispute.

Herzog expressed hope that a stable government formed after the election would work to ease tensions and establish the inquiry. He also called for the passage of a Basic Law on legislation to clarify the boundaries between Israel’s branches of government.

Asked how he would choose which candidate to task with forming the next government, Herzog said he would examine the election results and consult representatives of the parties, as required under the existing process.

He stressed, however, that he strongly opposes sending Israelis back to the polls if neither political bloc secures a clear path to a governing majority.

“If I see that there is a tie or a deadlock, I am very much opposed to the possibility of repeat elections,” Herzog said.

He argued that another election should be considered only as a last resort, pointing to the five elections Israel held between 2019 and 2022 and the political instability that followed.

“We reached 2023 and our day of disaster after five election campaigns,” Herzog said, referring to the October 7 attack.

The president urged Israelis to vote and called on the public to deliver a decisive result.

Herzog also addressed the possibility of resolving Netanyahu’s ongoing criminal trial, saying he had proposed mediation at the President’s Residence before considering any other action, including a possible pardon.

According to Herzog, Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara agreed to the proposal after some hesitation, but Netanyahu has not yet responded.

“I am still keeping the door open because I believe it is important to resolve this case,” Herzog said. “It has a very negative impact on the life of the country, and we need to bring it to an end.”

Noting that most criminal cases are resolved through plea agreements, Herzog said mediation could offer a practical way to seek a resolution.