Israeli President Isaac Herzog accepted the certified results of last week’s parliamentary elections and began consultations with party leaders on whom to task with forming the next government. “Now is the time to face reality,” Herzog said.

Eight parties, including the two Arab-led factions, are scheduled to meet Herzog on Thursday, with Eisenkot’s Yashar and Netanyahu’s Likud speaking last — after the consultations, Herzog will choose the candidate he believes is most likely to be able to form a coalition, most likely Netanyahu or Eisenkot, and has several days to announce his decision.