As Israel awaits final election results, opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot has signaled openness to forming a governing coalition with Arab-led parties, a strategic shift that could unseat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu but faces fierce resistance from the Prime Minister and potential coalition partners.
The election, which saw the highest voter turnout in over 25 years, produced no clear winner, with neither Netanyahu’s Likud party nor Eisenkot’s Yashar party securing the 61 seats required for a parliamentary majority. This deadlock has intensified negotiations, centering on whether secular and right-wing opposition factions will accept the 19-seat Arab bloc as a coalition partner.
What the Left Is Saying
Opposition figures and progressive activists argue that the election results demonstrate a mandate to end Netanyahu’s rule, even if it requires unprecedented alliances. Yair Golan, leader of the Democrats party, stated, "We have no future here if we do not stop being afraid," and argued against "Netanyahu's racist division between Jewish votes and Arab votes."
Supporters of a broad opposition coalition emphasize that Arab citizens, who make up 20% of Israel's population, were disproportionately affected by the war and political instability. Mansour Abbas, leader of the United Arab List, declared, "We are here, we are not on the sidelines," signaling the party's readiness to engage in coalition talks after a historic electoral showing.
What the Right Is Saying
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has firmly rejected any coalition involving Arab parties, labeling such partnerships as "treasonous" and warning of a "dangerous government." His Likud party and its far-right allies, including Itamar Ben-Gvir’s Otzma Yehudit, view the integration of Arab parties into a governing coalition as a threat to Israel's Jewish character and security policies.
Netanyahu’s supporters argue that the Prime Minister remains the only leader capable of managing Israel’s complex security landscape. Ran Cohen, a Jerusalem resident supporting Netanyahu, said, "He's the only one who knows how to do the job properly, knows how to speak to the world." The right-wing bloc contends that the opposition’s willingness to partner with Arab parties exposes their lack of viable governance alternatives.
What the Numbers Show
With 85% of votes counted, Netanyahu’s Likud party holds 20.8% of the vote, while Eisenkot’s Yashar party holds 16.1%. Arab-led parties collectively secured 14.9% of the vote. Local media projections indicate a seat distribution of approximately 53 for Netanyahu’s coalition bloc, 48 for Eisenkot’s bloc, and 19 for Arab-led parties, leaving all major camps short of the 61-seat majority needed to form a government.
Voter turnout reached nearly 78%, the highest since 1999. The final count includes approximately 500,000 absentee ballots from military personnel and diplomats, which have not yet been tallied. Historically, soldier votes have skewed toward right-wing parties, but the current margin is so narrow that these ballots could determine whether Netanyahu’s bloc reaches 55 seats or Eisenkot’s opposition can bridge the gap to 61.
The Bottom Line
The path to a new government remains uncertain, with Israeli President Isaac Herzog likely to task the leader of the largest party, Netanyahu, with forming a coalition first. However, Herzog is not required to do so and has urged all parties to "do everything we can... to avoid another round of elections." If Eisenkot cannot secure a majority without Arab partners, and if his secular allies refuse to join them, Israel faces the prospect of its sixth election in seven years, potentially occurring early next year.
The coming days will reveal whether the opposition’s strategic flexibility can overcome ideological barriers, or if Netanyahu’s refusal to share power with Arab parties will force a political stalemate that extends his tenure despite his party’s declining vote share.