Israel election: When will government be formed, who will lead it?
News Source
β’Sun, 01 Nov 2026 14:16:14 +0000
π° What Happened
Israel has no clear path to a new government after elections on October 27. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc lost its majority in the 120-seat Knesset.
His partners won 53 seats: Likud 27, United Torah Judaism 7, Otzma Yehudit 7, Shas 6 and Religious Zionism 6. A bloc of Jewish parties opposed to him won 48. Arab-led parties won 19.
No side reached the 61 seats needed to govern. Parties must now switch sides or join forces, and if that fails Israel could face another election.
π The Backstory
Israelis vote for parties, not people, and the president asks a leader to build a coalition. Talks can take weeks and often break down.
Options include a unity government that brings rivals together, or a minority government that relies on outside support. Arab-led parties could decide the outcome without joining a coalition.
Netanyahu is also on trial in a long-running corruption case, and his opponents say they will not serve under him. If no deal is reached, the Knesset can dissolve and voters return to the polls.
π― Why It Matters
Israel's government shapes the Gaza ceasefire, security policy and daily life for millions of Israelis and Palestinians. Weeks without a government can freeze hard decisions.
Israel has no clear path to a new government after elections on October 27. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc lost its majority in the 120-seat Knesset.
His partners won 53 seats: Likud 27, United Torah Judaism 7, Otzma Yehudit 7, Shas 6 and Religious Zionism 6. A bloc of Jewish parties opposed to him won 48. Arab-led parties won 19.
No side reached the 61 seats needed to govern. Parties must now switch sides or join forces, and if that fails Israel could face another election.
Israelis vote for parties, not people, and the president asks a leader to build a coalition. Talks can take weeks and often break down.
Options include a unity government that brings rivals together, or a minority government that relies on outside support. Arab-led parties could decide the outcome without joining a coalition.
Netanyahu is also on trial in a long-running corruption case, and his opponents say they will not serve under him. If no deal is reached, the Knesset can dissolve and voters return to the polls.
Israel's government shapes the Gaza ceasefire, security policy and daily life for millions of Israelis and Palestinians. Weeks without a government can freeze hard decisions.