Politics

President Peres received the official results of the elections to the 19th Knesset from Judge Elyakim Rubinstein and began consultation meetings for the formation of a coalition government
President Peres:
"The responsibility I have, in accordance with the law, is serious and I intend to carry out my duties with full commitment to the law and the citizens of Israel, to allow for the formation of a government that will reflect the will of the people as soon as possible." Chairperson of the Central Elections Committee, Judge Elyakim Rubinstein
During the election campaign we saw incidents of racism, I want to raise the issue and signal a warning with these phenomena in the State of Israel
 
The President of the State of Israel, President Shimon Peres, received the official results of the Israeli elections for the 19th Knesset this evening from Judge Elyakim Rubinstein. President Peres delivered short remarks at the ceremony and said, "The election campaign was conducted in a manner which gave a sense of pride, without violence and without public disorder. I congratulate the citizens of Israel on the fulfillment of their civic duty and their involvement in shaping the future of the state. The elections were also a national lesson in democracy. In a democracy there are differing opinions and different parties but when necessary democracy knows how to overcome those differences and unite."

President Peres thanked the Central Elections Committee and Judge Rubinstein personally, for their work during the campaign. He referred to the consultation meetings with the elected parties and said, "When you pass me the official results I must, in accordance with the law, open a round of consultations immediately with representatives of all the parties in the new Knesset. After the consultations I must determine upon which member of Knesset to cast the responsibility of forming the government. I hope that person agrees. The law demands it. The responsibility I have, in accordance with the law, is serious and I intend to carry out my duties with full commitment to the law and the citizens of Israel, to allow for the formation of a government that will reflect the will of the people as soon as possible. I will do my utmost to carry out this duty with urgency without compromising on the rights of every party to make their voice heard. I see this as both a great responsibility and a great right."
 
The Chairperson of the Central Elections Committee, Judge Elyakim Rubinstein, also delivered remarks at the ceremony and told President Peres that it was his pleasure to present him with the official election results for the 19th Knesset. Judge Rubinstein announced that 3,833,646 voters out of an eligible 5,656,705 cast their ballot which amounts to almost 68% and an increase on the 64.7% voter turnout of the 18th Knesset. Judge Rubinstein added that he hoped some of the reason for the high turnout was the get out the vote campaign by the Central Elections Committee. He ended by saying that during the elections there were incidents of racism and he felt a duty to raise the issue and light warning lights against it in Israel; a Jewish and democratic state where racism has no place.

Immediately after receiving the results President Peres began consultations for the creation of the next government – a separate announcement will follow shortly regarding the president's meetings with Likud-Beitenu and Yesh Atid which took place this evening