With nearly all votes counted in Israel’s recent election, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies have emerged as the largest parliamentary bloc but failed to secure the majority required to form a government. The results have plunged the country into political gridlock, with Netanyahu’s coalition holding 53 seats in the Knesset, short of the 61 seats needed for a governing majority. The opposition Change bloc, led by former Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, won 48 seats. The deadlock leaves Israel facing weeks of uncertain coalition negotiations, the potential for a unity government, or the prospect of new elections.
What the Right Is Saying
Prime Minister Netanyahu and his supporters emphasize that his Likud party won the most seats of any single party and that his coalition holds the most seats overall, giving him the first right to attempt to form a government. Netanyahu stated, "We must form a right-wing national strong government. That is what must be done. We must not, must not endanger Israel and establish a government that is backed by anti-Zionist Arab parties."
The right-wing perspective argues that a government dependent on Arab parties, which are anti-Netanyahu, would be unstable and potentially dangerous for Israel’s security. A Netanyahu official indicated that persuading a partner in the Eisenkot coalition to defect is considered impossible by the Prime Minister’s camp. Supporters view the opposition’s reliance on Arab parties as a weakness that prevents them from forming a viable Zionist government, as Eisenkot describes his coalition. They maintain that the country is at a crossroads and that a strong right-wing government is necessary to navigate security challenges.
What the Left Is Saying
The opposition perspective, represented largely by the Change bloc and Arab parties, argues that the current government has been rejected by a majority of the country. The Change bloc, along with the Arab parties which secured 19 seats, collectively hold enough seats to potentially form a government, though they have not formally allied. Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot has strongly criticized Netanyahu’s conduct, particularly regarding security issues. Eisenkot stated, "I call on the heads of the security establishment and the civil service, remember that you serve only the state and the interests of the Israeli citizens. Stand firm against any attempt to challenge you. Netanyahu, do not dare use Israel's security for your own political needs."
The opposition view holds that Netanyahu’s campaign rhetoric, including accusations that Arab voters were stealing the election, undermines democratic norms. Police responded to these claims by stating there was no investigative substantiation for allegations of voter fraud. Opposition figures and many in the media view the gridlock as a result of Netanyahu’s refusal to form a unity government and his attempts to delegitimize the Arab vote, which they argue is essential to any stable coalition that excludes his bloc.
What the Numbers Show
The final vote count, as reported by PBS NewsHour, shows Netanyahu’s coalition holding 53 seats in the 120-seat Knesset. The opposition Change bloc holds 48 seats. Arab parties won 19 seats, all of which are currently positioned against Netanyahu. The threshold to form a government is 61 seats. The combined total of the Change bloc (48) and Arab parties (19) is 67 seats, which technically exceeds the majority, but political barriers have prevented this combination from forming a government. Exit polls initially suggested the opposition might lead, but the final count reversed this, with Netanyahu’s bloc finishing ahead of the opposition bloc by five seats.
The Bottom Line
The election results have left Israel in a state of political uncertainty with no clear path to a new government. President Isaac Herzog is expected to invite one of the blocs to form a government next week. The scenarios include Netanyahu forming a unity government with Eisenkot, which Eisenkot has ruled out; the opposition forming a government with outside support from Arab parties; or neither side succeeding, leading to new elections. Analysts note that Netanyahu remains Prime Minister during the transition and has the power to act on security matters. U.S. officials have confirmed that Netanyahu pushed for attacks on Iran before the election, and President Trump has suggested the U.S. could go back to war with Iran after midterm elections, adding a layer of geopolitical tension to the domestic gridlock. The primary concern for observers is that the deadlock could lead to further instability or conflict, with neither side able to sell a clear majority of the country on a post-Netanyahu Israel.