Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition challenger Gadi Eisenkot face a difficult path to forming the next government, with neither political bloc reaching the 61 seats needed for a parliamentary majority. Coalition negotiations are expected to determine whether either side can secure enough support to govern or whether Israel will return to the polls.
The latest figures cited by The Times of Israel show the Joint List securing its 19th seat under a surplus-vote agreement, while Ra’am fell short by around 1,200 votes.
Netanyahu Bloc Falls Short Of Majority
Netanyahu’s Likud-led bloc is projected to secure 53-54 seats, according to figures cited by *The Times of Israel*. Likud accounts for 26 seats, while Shas and United Torah Judaism have seven each. Otzma Yehudit is projected to win seven seats, and Religious Zionism six.
The numbers leave Netanyahu short of the majority required to form a government. His political future will depend on whether he can negotiate support beyond his existing allies.
Meanwhile, demonstrations took place near Netanyahu’s residence in Jerusalem, with protesters opposing the government and demanding an end to the war in Gaza.
Eisenkot May Need Support From Arab Parties
Eisenkot, 66, entered politics four years ago after serving as Israel’s military chief. He joined Netanyahu’s war cabinet following the October 2023 Hamas attack but left eight months later, criticising the prime minister’s leadership.
He called Netanyahu “a caretaker prime minister, without a mandate or the people’s trust”, and urged him to retire from politics.
According to an Associated Press report, Eisenkot’s most straightforward route to power could involve support from Arab-led parties. However, such an arrangement could alienate other opposition groups. Eisenkot has not committed to including these parties in a governing coalition, while they have indicated they could support him from outside it.
Minority Government Emerges As Possible Option
One possible route for Eisenkot is to form a minority government with backing from Arab-led parties without bringing them into the coalition. Their support, or abstention during a confidence vote in the Knesset, could help him secure the necessary parliamentary backing, depending on the final numbers and voting circumstances.
“Bottom line, at the moment it appears there is a possibility of forming a minority government headed by Eisenkot, but this could still shift depending on the final results,” Elovitz told AFP.
Israel’s president has expressed hope that the country can avoid another election as political leaders explore possible alliances. However, with neither bloc commanding a majority, the final outcome will depend on negotiations and the willingness of smaller parties to support a government.
Joint List Wins 19th Seat
The Joint List secured its 19th seat through a surplus-vote agreement, with Ra’am falling approximately 1,200 votes short, according to figures reported by The Times of Israel.
The allocation could influence coalition arithmetic as parties assess their options. Until negotiations produce a viable majority or an alternative governing arrangement, uncertainty over Israel’s next government is likely to persist.
