Israeli President Isaac Herzog calls for calm ahead of election mediations

Mediations between parties is set to begin in an attempt to cobble together a new government after Israeli voters failed to back any coalition to form a majority government.

A surge in support for Arab-Israeli, or Palestinian-Israeli parties, means they could hold the keys to power.

But neither Benjamin Netanyahu nor his primary challenger Gadi Eisenkot appear willing to talk to those parties.

Israel's president has urged the nation's politicians to put aside the divisive rhetoric that has marred the recent election campaign, as he signals negotiations on forming Israel's next government will begin later in the week.

Last Tuesday's poll was inconclusive, with neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's current coalition or the band of challengers, led by former Israeli military chief Gadi Eisenkot, securing enough support to form a majority government.

A surge in votes for Arab-Israeli, or Palestinian-Israeli parties has led to record representation, with the Joint List and the United Arab List taking 19 seats in the 120 Israeli Knesset.

It means the two groups effectively hold the keys to the next government, with their support required if the other anti-Netanyahu parties want any chance of seizing power.

That result has fuelled fierce debate, at times with racist themes, about the potential make-up of the next government.

Mr Netanyahu has insisted it is "forbidden" for the Jewish-majority parties to cooperate with the two groups.

It is a familiar campaign trope from the prime minister, who has accused the Joint List and the United Arab List of "stealing" the election and supporting policies that would undermine the very existence of the State of Israel.

The country's intelligence agency Shin Bet has been asked to investigate allegations of foreign funds flowing into Arab-Israeli communities prior to polling day, reportedly from Qatar.

Israel Police is also investigating allegations of misconduct ahead of the ballot and on election day itself.

The official results of the vote will be presented to Israel's President Isaac Herzog on Wednesday, which will prompt him to begin talks with the party leaders on who can form government.

Speaking in Jerusalem, Mr Herzog said he would talk to "all factions and parties" and urged leaders to come with an "open mind" as well as an "open heart".

"As we all know, during an election campaign, candidates naturally and predictably climb too far out on a limb," he said.

"But the elections are over. The election results are a fact. They are a reality. And now is the time to tell all the leaders to stop climbing and face this reality.

"This week at the President's Residence, we will try to put up ladders so that leaders can position themselves against this reality in a measured and careful way."

If no deal can be struck, Israelis may be forced back to the polls in coming months.

Some of the so-called "change" camp leaders, including Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot, had ruled out working with the Arab-Israeli parties prior to the election.

Veteran politician Avigdor Liberman, who leads the Yisrael Beiteinu party, has repeated his opposition in recent days.

Some commentators have viewed Mr Eisenkot's latest statement as a sign he is softening on the issue.

"However you look at the numbers, a majority of Israelis, by a margin of more than half a million votes, voted against the government of October 7 and draft evasion, and for change," he said.

"This is a majority among all Israeli citizens, and among Zionist Israelis who serve their country."

But he insisted he would only enter into partnership with other politicians if they committed to recognise Israel as a Jewish state and recognised Hamas as a terrorist organisation.

The latter issue is something Jewish-majority parties have repeatedly accused their Arab-Israeli counterparts of avoiding.

The left-wing Democrats, and leader Yair Golan, are the only party to be actively talking about the prospect of a partnership, with the Joint List and the United Arab List.

The two groups would not necessarily have to sit inside a coalition government. They could remain outside of the coalition, but strike a deal where they effectively support the government by promising not to block its agenda in the Knesset.

Thousands of Israelis had taken to the streets over the weekend to demand a Jewish-Arab unity government.

While such a deal is still less than certain, reports have emerged that the anti-Netanyahu parties are considering banding together in the Knesset to pass legislation to effectively take control of the parliament by replacing the speaker, which can occur even while Mr Netanyahu remains caretaker prime minister.

Mr Golan has also warned Mr Netanyahu may try to inflame the war with Iran during the period of negotiations, in a bid to cling to power.

"Israel's security must not be allowed to become a tool in Netanyahu's political survival struggle," he posted on social media.

"Therefore, establishing an alternative government as soon as possible is critical; Israel's security and its citizens are on the line."

During the campaign, there had been multiple reports Mr Netanyahu had been agitating for fresh strikes against Iran, but that he had been reined in by US President Donald Trump.

While also weighing up options for a new wave of attacks, Mr Trump has also had to deal with voter disquiet on the issue of Iran ahead of this week's mid-term elections.

The Wall Street Journal has reported Mr Netanyahu and Mr Trump spoke on the phone over the weekend.