Netanyahu vs Eisenkot: Who Will Become Israel’s Next Prime Minister as Both Blocs Fall Short of 61 Seats and Coalition Negotiations Loom?

Israel’s election has left the country facing another round of uncertain coalition negotiations, with preliminary results showing neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc nor the opposition alliance led by Gadi Eisenkot securing the parliamentary numbers needed to form a government independently.

With nearly 90% of votes counted, Netanyahu’s bloc was projected to win 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset, while Eisenkot’s alliance was on course for 48. The two Arab-led parties, the Joint List and Ra’am, were projected to secure a combined 19 seats, potentially their strongest representation in parliament.

At least 61 seats are required for a parliamentary majority. The remaining special ballots could still affect the final distribution, and the official results have yet to be confirmed. 

You Might Be Interested In

Can Netanyahu form the next government?

Netanyahu’s Likud party is projected to emerge as the largest single party, with approximately 26 seats. However, the wider bloc of right-wing, far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties supporting him remains eight seats short of a majority.

The prime minister could seek support from additional parties or negotiate a broader unity government with opposition figures. Such an arrangement would require political compromises, particularly over policy differences and the composition of the governing coalition. Netanyahu’s bloc has also rejected relying on Arab-led parties to secure a majority, limiting its options as negotiations approach.

Why Eisenkot faces a difficult coalition choice