Elections for President are not held among the people of Israel but in the Knesset by the MKs, with the understanding that the MKs represent the people (even though their service is not really on a  representative basis). Normally the presidential elections would play out, at least mostly, according to party lines with not too much drama. The political parties usually negotiate with each and come to agreements on supporting this or that candidate or whatnot, but mostly it is pretty known who will support which candidate simply based on identification.

These upcoming elections should be more dramatic and interesting. The parties have not been playing as nicely with each as they used to. Will Yamina and Saar necessarily support the candidate promoted by the Likud? Will they support a candidate supported by Labor or Lapid? I don't know, but it will be interesting to see how this plays out and who forms coalitions with whom.

 

Another interesting possibility that could provide is with some drama is what Benjamin Netanyahu will do. Will Benjamin Netanyahu announce that he is running for President?

Sure, until now he has denied any interest in running for President. But that was when he thought he would continue as Prime Minister - he was unwilling to step down from the PM position and take the Presidency instead. Now that he no longer has the mandate and it looks like we will either go to fifth elections, that probably also won't solve anything, or the Likud will go to the Opposition if a Lapid-Bennett unity government is formed, he has no reason not to nominate himself for the presidency now. It would give him an honorable way out (should he win), it would solve the Likud headache and help the country get out of the election cycle, and might even help him with his legal issues (as President I think his trial would have to be frozen).

And even if he does announce that he is running, will parties other than the Likud support him? On the one hand it is a nice opportunity to get rid of him from the political scene. On the other hand, he has burned too many bridges and has too many enemies - they might not be willing to give him this parachute.

It will definitely be an interesting 3 weeks, and probably one of the more dramatic presidential elections of Israel.