Preliminary results point toward difficult coalition talks, a possible unity government or another national election
By Midtown Times Staff
October 29, 2026
TEL AVIV, Israel (Midtown Times) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing alliance remained short of a parliamentary majority Thursday, leaving Israel without a clear winner and setting the stage for potentially difficult negotiations over the country’s next government.
With most ballots counted, Netanyahu’s right-wing, far-right and ultra-Orthodox bloc was projected to control 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset—eight fewer than the 61 required for a majority. An opposition alliance led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot was projected to receive 48 seats, while two predominantly Arab parties were on course to win a combined 19.
The figures remain preliminary as election officials continue processing special ballots submitted by soldiers, diplomats and other eligible voters through the country’s double-envelope system. Israel’s official results are expected to be published by Nov. 4.
Netanyahu’s Likud remained the largest individual party, with approximately 26 seats. Eisenkot’s Yashar party followed with 21, while Beyachad, led by former prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, was projected to receive 12.
The strong showing by the Joint List and Ra’am could give the Arab parties significant influence over efforts to form a government. Their combined support would provide the opposition with a theoretical 67-seat majority, although several opposition leaders previously ruled out forming a coalition dependent on Arab parties.
Three possible outcomes
One potential path is an Eisenkot-led minority government supported by Arab lawmakers. The Arab parties would not necessarily receive cabinet positions but could allow the government to take office and support it during important confidence and budget votes. Political differences within the opposition, however, make such an arrangement difficult.
A second possibility is a broad unity government bringing Likud together with centrist and center-right opposition parties. A coalition involving Likud, Yashar, Beyachad and Yisrael Beytenu could command roughly 66 seats. Such a deal would probably require Netanyahu to separate from some of his far-right and ultra-Orthodox partners while forcing opposition leaders to abandon campaign promises to remove him from power.
Netanyahu could also attempt to attract individual lawmakers or an entire faction from the opposition. The longtime prime minister has previously exploited divisions among rival parties, but the size of his current shortfall would make that strategy more challenging.
If negotiations fail, Israel could face another election. After the final results are certified, President Isaac Herzog will consult the elected parties and select the lawmaker he believes has the strongest chance of assembling a coalition. Successive candidates may be given an opportunity if the first choice fails. The process could continue for roughly 100 days before a new election becomes necessary.
Netanyahu will remain caretaker prime minister while the negotiations proceed. Herzog has urged political leaders to approach the talks with an open mind and avoid sending Israelis back to the polls.
Although the final distribution of seats could still move slightly, the broader result is already apparent: neither of Israel’s main political camps secured a mandate to govern alone, and forming a stable coalition may require party leaders to reconsider alliances they rejected during the campaign.
