Eisenkot sets four conditions for broad Israeli coalition as Herzog opens talks

President Isaac Herzog will begin consultations Wednesday with party leaders after the October 27 election left no bloc with a parliamentary majority.

• Likud won 27 Knesset seats and Netanyahu's bloc 53, while Eisenkot's Yashar took 21 seats and his bloc 48, leaving no 61-seat majority.
• Eisenkot set four coalition conditions, including mandatory national service for all citizens and designating Hamas a terrorist organization.
• Eisenkot said any Knesset member accepting the four principles would be a potential partner in a broad consensus government.
• President Herzog will begin coalition consultations with the victorious parties on Wednesday, saying he seeks to avoid new elections.