Israel has entered another period of political uncertainty after the final results of the 2026 parliamentary elections showed that no political alliance secured the 61 seats required to form a government in the 120-member Knesset. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc finished with 53 seats, while the main opposition alliance led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot won 48 seats. Arab-led parties secured the remaining 19 seats, making them potential kingmakers in the coalition-building process. With no clear winner, weeks of negotiations are expected before President Isaac Herzog invites a leader to attempt forming the next government.

The election was widely viewed as a referendum on Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership following years of political instability and the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack. Although Netanyahu’s Likud party remained the single largest party, it lost support compared to the previous election. Coalition talks are expected to be difficult, as several opposition parties have campaigned on removing Netanyahu from power, while others remain divided over whether to cooperate with Arab-led parties. At the same time, Netanyahu has rejected the possibility of relying on Arab parties and has raised allegations of election irregularities, though no evidence has been presented publicly. Israel’s election authorities are also examining claims of possible foreign interference.

The election outcome reflects deep divisions within Israeli society over national security, the Gaza conflict, military service exemptions for the ultra-Orthodox community and the country’s political future. Opposition leaders have pledged to establish an independent inquiry into the October 7 attacks if they form the government, while Netanyahu’s supporters argue that his leadership strengthened Israel during multiple regional conflicts. If coalition negotiations fail to produce a stable government, Israel could be forced to hold another national election in the coming months, extending the country’s prolonged political uncertainty.