Reported by:
Cherry Meigh Timbol
News Content Editor
Published October 29, 2026
JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has weathered political crises, public protests, security failures and repeated challenges to his leadership. But the latest election has left his political future uncertain, with neither his governing bloc nor the opposition securing a clear parliamentary majority.
Netanyahu’s Likud party remains the largest individual party, but preliminary projections indicate that his right-wing, far-right and ultra-Orthodox allies are on course to win approximately 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset, Israel’s parliament. That falls short of the 61 seats required to form a majority government.
The opposition bloc led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot is projected to win approximately 48 seats, while Arab-led parties could secure around 19 seats, potentially giving them a decisive role in determining the next government. The figures remain subject to the completion of the vote count.
An election without a clear winner
The results have created a political deadlock that could take weeks to resolve. Although Netanyahu’s bloc lacks a majority, his opponents face their own obstacles in assembling enough support to replace him.
Eisenkot’s path to power could require cooperation with Arab-led parties, an arrangement that some potential partners have resisted. The disagreement highlights the ideological divisions within the opposition and complicates efforts to unite parties around a common alternative to Netanyahu.
Netanyahu, meanwhile, retains the advantage of leading the largest individual party and a bloc that remains a significant force in Israeli politics. His political future will depend on whether he can attract additional support, persuade rival politicians to join a broader coalition or prevent the opposition from assembling a majority.
The October 7 attacks remain a central issue
One of the most significant challenges to Netanyahu’s leadership is the continuing scrutiny of the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks, which exposed major failures in Israel’s security and intelligence systems.
Netanyahu has faced criticism over his government’s handling of the attacks and the wars that followed. His opponents have argued that the country needs political change and greater accountability for the security failures.
The election has also exposed divisions over military-service exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men, the future of Israeli settlements and the influence of far-right parties within the government.
These issues have contributed to a political environment in which Netanyahu’s record on national security, his coalition partners and the direction of the country remain central points of contention.
Netanyahu’s options for staying in power
Netanyahu has several potential routes to retaining the premiership, although none is guaranteed.
One possibility is to negotiate with politicians outside his current coalition to assemble a government with a parliamentary majority. Another is a unity government involving members of the opposition, although longstanding political rivalries and mutual distrust could make such an arrangement difficult.
His opponents could also attempt to form a government with support from Arab-led parties. However, resistance to that partnership among some Jewish opposition politicians could undermine the effort.
If neither side can form a government, Israel could face another election. Netanyahu would remain caretaker prime minister during the political uncertainty, allowing him to continue leading the government while negotiations proceed.
The outcome will depend on coalition negotiations, the final election results and the decisions of individual political parties.
The Role of the Israeli President
President Isaac Herzog will play a central role in the process of forming the next government. Following consultations with elected parties, he must designate the candidate he believes has the best chance of securing a parliamentary majority.
The candidate selected will generally have 28 days to negotiate a coalition, with a possible 14-day extension. If the attempt fails, the mandate may pass to another candidate under Israel’s parliamentary procedures.
This means that winning the largest number of seats does not automatically guarantee the premiership. The decisive question is which candidate can secure the support needed to govern.
Herzog has urged political leaders to approach the negotiations with an open mind and work to avoid another election.
An Uncertain Political Future
Netanyahu’s political career has been marked by repeated comebacks, making it difficult to determine his future from the preliminary results alone. His continued leadership will depend on his ability to navigate the parliamentary arithmetic and the competing interests of Israel’s political parties.
The election has weakened his coalition’s parliamentary position, but it has not yet established a clear alternative government. Meanwhile, the opposition must overcome its own internal disagreements if it hopes to remove him from office.
For now, Netanyahu remains caretaker prime minister as Israel enters a period of political negotiations. Whether he secures another term, leads a different coalition or eventually leaves office will depend on the outcome of those talks.
The central question is no longer simply whether Netanyahu’s political standing has been damaged, but whether his opponents can translate their combined parliamentary strength into a functioning government. Until that becomes clear, Israel’s political future remains unsettled.
