Israeli President Isaac Herzog occupies a mostly ceremonial office, but he is approaching a decision with major political consequences. In the coming days, Herzog will determine which party gets the first opportunity to assemble a government, potentially shaping Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s fate.

In an exclusive interview with MS NOW, Herzog said pressure from President Donald Trump would not control that decision. Trump endorsed Netanyahu last week, but Herzog insisted that no foreign leader would dictate how he exercises his authority.

“I don’t think the president of the United States or anybody else can intervene in my discretion — the discretion has to be based on certain facts, and we will see what the facts are,” Herzog said.

Herzog acknowledged that outside pressure is likely, saying, “There will be a lot of pressure, though, regardless.” He also said he has “huge respect” for Trump and welcomes dialogue with him.

Still, Herzog made clear that the decision belongs to him. “I know how to deliberate with him or any other world leader,” he said.

“It’s Israel’s democracy and Israel’s constitution, and that’s what counts for me,” Herzog added. His declaration draws a firm boundary around a process that Trump has publicly tried to influence on behalf of his political ally.

On Sunday, Trump renewed his endorsement of Netanyahu on Truth Social. “As everyone is aware, including the enemy, Bibi and I have a great relationship in winning together,” Trump wrote.

“We have to finish the job that we started!” Trump concluded. His intervention arrived as final polling showed neither Netanyahu’s Likud party nor challenger Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party likely to secure an outright victory.

That outcome would probably trigger coalition negotiations aimed at reaching the 61 seat majority threshold in the Knesset, Israel’s 120 seat Parliament. Herzog’s choice will determine which political camp receives the first chance to solve that difficult equation.

“It’s going to be very delicate,” Herzog said, pointing to public commitments from leading candidates not to work with certain factions. “So it’s really an open game, especially if the results are going to be close.”

Eisenkot faces especially difficult coalition mathematics because of the range of parties opposing Netanyahu. He has ruled out including either Arab or ultra Orthodox parties in a government under his leadership.

Arab Israelis account for about 21% of Israel’s population, but politicians seeking the premiership have long excluded them from the ruling government. Herzog described Arab parties as “part and parcel of Israeli democracy,” though he declined to say whether they belong in national leadership.

“There’s a question about what happens if you have to take decisions now about war and peace, and this is the issue at stake in the political discussion and the decisions of the voters,” Herzog said.

Herzog repeatedly said he would use his authority to avoid sending voters into additional elections. One possibility he raised was a national unity government containing both Netanyahu and Eisenkot while leaving leaders of extremist parties outside the coalition.

“I don’t know if it’s feasible,” Herzog conceded. He also noted that the government formation process could stretch across weeks, while the implications for the Iran war remain unclear.

“I hope now there’s either negotiations or again a flaring up of the military escalation,” Herzog said. He added that the decision rests with negotiators, militaries and the U.S. president.

The deteriorating situation in the West Bank has also become central during the election’s final days. Netanyahu has repeatedly ignored violence against Palestinians, while Eisenkot has promised tougher action against rising attacks that have generated international condemnation and threats of sanctions.

Herzog rejected broadly blaming Israeli settlers, arguing that the recent increase came from a small group of violent people “that everybody has to crack down on.” He called the violence “despicable” and “outrageous” and said all necessary steps should be taken to arrest those responsible.

He also condemned Friday’s terror attack in Hebron, where two Palestinian gunmen killed two Israeli soldiers and wounded three others. Netanyahu’s office subsequently instructed security forces to cordon off Hebron immediately and prepare for a full closure of the West Bank.

Herzog has avoided taking positions on major electoral questions, particularly whether Netanyahu should be held accountable. Last November, Trump wrote to Herzog seeking a full pardon for Netanyahu, who was indicted in 2019 on bribery, fraud and breach of trust charges.

Herzog’s office responded at the time that he held Trump in the highest regard, but anyone requesting a pardon needed to file a formal application. Herzog, Israel’s eleventh president, has served since July 2021.

He predicted “huge turnout” and expressed confidence in the integrity of the election. According to Herzog, voters will shape the country’s arguments over judicial independence and Israel’s borders.