Netanyahu loses parliamentary majority as Israel faces difficult coalition negotiations

JERUSALEM, Israel | October 30, 2026 — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing bloc has lost its parliamentary majority following the country’s October 27 elections, leaving the country’s political future uncertain as rival parties begin negotiations to form a government in a deeply divided 120-member parliament.

Final results released early Friday showed Netanyahu’s right-wing and religious bloc securing 53 seats, while the main opposition alliance led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot won 48. Arab-led parties captured the remaining 19 seats, marking a historic electoral showing and giving them a potentially decisive role in determining who will govern Israel.

Neither major political camp has secured the 61 seats required for a parliamentary majority, setting the stage for difficult negotiations involving parties with sharply different positions on national security, religion, military service and the role of Arab citizens in Israeli politics, according to the Associated Press.

Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, remains in office while the political parties explore possible governing arrangements.

One possible outcome is an alliance between Eisenkot’s opposition bloc and the Arab-led parties, which could produce a 67-seat majority. Even without formally joining the government, the Arab parties could support a minority administration and help remove Netanyahu from power.

However, such an arrangement carries considerable political risks. Several opposition leaders have previously ruled out forming a government with Arab parties, while Netanyahu has portrayed such cooperation as a threat to Israel’s national identity and security.

Arab citizens make up approximately 20 percent of Israel’s population. Their political representation has historically faced resistance from sections of the country’s Jewish political establishment. The 2026 election result nevertheless highlights their growing influence in determining the country’s political direction.

Another possibility is a national unity government involving Netanyahu and Eisenkot. Their combined political strength could reach 67 seats, potentially providing a parliamentary majority without relying on Arab-led parties.

Such an arrangement, however, would require both leaders to abandon major campaign commitments. Eisenkot and his allies have accused Netanyahu of responsibility for security failures surrounding the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack, weakening democratic institutions and prolonging his corruption trial. They had also pledged not to serve under him.

Netanyahu, meanwhile, would have to consider parting ways with some of his far-right and ultra-Orthodox allies, who have remained loyal to his government through years of political and security crises.

A third possibility is for Netanyahu to recruit individual lawmakers or smaller parties from the opposition. Former prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, along with other right-wing political figures, could become important players in the negotiations, although their longstanding disagreements with Netanyahu make such an arrangement difficult.

If all negotiations fail, Israel could hold another general election early next year. Netanyahu’s government would remain in a caretaker capacity until a new administration is formed.

Israel has experienced prolonged political deadlock before. Following inconclusive elections beginning in 2019, the country held five national elections in approximately three and a half years, reflecting the deep divisions among its political parties and the difficulty of building a stable governing coalition.

The participation of Arab-led parties in a coalition would also carry historical significance. In 2021, the United Arab List, known as Ra’am, became the first independent Arab party to join an Israeli governing coalition. Its participation helped end a previous political impasse, although the government lasted only about 18 months.

Beyond coalition negotiations, the election has also triggered controversy over allegations of possible foreign interference. Netanyahu and members of his Likud party raised unsubstantiated claims that Arab-led parties had benefited from election irregularities. Qatar was also mentioned in allegations reported by Israeli media, but it denied involvement.

Israel’s Central Elections Committee said allegations of systematic electoral violations were baseless and stressed that the investigation into possible foreign interference would not affect the final election results. The Shin Bet domestic security agency was asked to investigate the claims.

The new Knesset is expected to be sworn in on November 10. Meanwhile, President Isaac Herzog will consult political representatives before deciding whom to appoint to form the next government. The process will determine whether Israel continues under Netanyahu, moves toward an opposition-led administration or faces another election.

The outcome carries implications beyond domestic politics, particularly for Israel’s ongoing security challenges, relations with the United States and the future of regional diplomacy following the wars involving Hamas, Lebanon and Iran.

For now, the election has weakened Netanyahu’s parliamentary position but has not ended his political leadership. The coming negotiations will determine whether his opponents can translate their combined electoral strength into a functioning government.