Hyderabad: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party emerged as the largest party in the 2026 general election. However, his political bloc fell short of a parliamentary majority, leaving the formation of Israel’s next government uncertain.
The final results confirmed that Netanyahu’s right wing and far right bloc secured 53 seats in the 120 member Knesset. Meanwhile, the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot won 48 seats.
Arab parties secured 19 seats combined, potentially giving them significant influence over coalition negotiations. However, political differences could complicate efforts to form a stable government.
Netanyahu’s Likud won 27 seats, making it the largest single party in parliament. Eisenkot’s Yashar party followed with 21 seats, while Naftali Bennett’s B’Yachad secured 12.
The Joint List won 11 seats, while The Democrats and Ra’am secured eight seats each. Other parties also entered parliament after crossing the electoral threshold.
Coalition Talks to Decide Israel’s Next Government
The results leave both major political blocs short of the 61 seats required for a parliamentary majority. Netanyahu’s bloc needs eight additional seats, while the opposition bloc requires 13 more.
Arab parties could influence the outcome, although cooperation with them remains politically contentious. Ra’am leader Mansour Abbas reportedly expressed doubts about the possibility of an opposition led minority government.
A broader unity government involving Likud, Yashar, B’Yachad and Yisrael Beytenu could theoretically secure 66 seats. However, significant political differences make such an arrangement uncertain.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog is expected to consult political parties before nominating a candidate to form the next government. The final results will be formally submitted to him on November 4.
The newly elected Knesset is scheduled to be sworn in on November 10. If political leaders fail to form a government within the stipulated period, Israel could face another election.
Voter turnout reached 77.9%, with 5,716,665 votes cast, according to the final results. Three parties failed to cross the 3.25% electoral threshold and will not enter the new parliament.
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