The Israeli Political System, Simply Put

Many people, even in Israel, could use a quick review:

• We ordinary citizens do not elect the Prime Minister.
• We vote for lists of wannabe Knesset members according to party lists.
• After the election results are in, The Israeli President, who is elected by the Knesset members, is supposed to ask the various party leaders to tell him/her who they think has the best chance to put together a ruling coalition.
• Then the President appoints the party leader who seems to have the trust of the other parties to attempt to negotiate a coalition  which may take more than one try. And the Prime Minister does not have to be the leader of the largest party.  He/she must be the best deal maker.

That's it in a nutshell.