Jerusalem, October 30, 2026 — Israel’s general election has produced a fragmented result, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud-led bloc emerging as the largest grouping but falling short of a governing majority.
With counting largely complete, Netanyahu’s alliance is projected to hold 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset. The main opposition bloc led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party is on track for 48 seats. Arab-led parties won an unprecedented 19 seats and could hold the balance of power, though most Jewish parties have ruled out partnering with them.
Likud itself is set to be the single largest party with around 27 seats. Official certified results are expected by November 4. President Isaac Herzog will then begin consultations on who should be tasked with forming a government.
Both Netanyahu and Eisenkot have said they will attempt to build a coalition. Failure to form a government could trigger another election, extending Israel’s long period of political instability. The vote was the first since the October 2023 Hamas attacks and the subsequent wars in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran.
