JERUSALEM, Israel — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his leading challenger, Gadi Eisenkot, are facing difficult political decisions after a closely contested national election left both camps short of the parliamentary support needed to form a government.
The October 27 election produced no clear path to a governing majority, setting the stage for potentially weeks of coalition negotiations. The outcome could reshape Israel’s political alliances, influence its domestic priorities and determine the direction of its security and regional policies.
With Israel’s 120-member Knesset requiring at least 61 seats to establish a parliamentary majority, both leaders must consider whether to seek new political partners, pursue a broader unity government or prepare for the possibility of another election.
Netanyahu Seeks to Preserve His Political Position
Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, has called for the formation of a strong right-wing national government, maintaining that his political bloc should continue to lead the country.
However, preliminary election figures suggest that his traditional coalition partners may not provide enough seats to secure a majority. The results represent a significant challenge for a leader whose political future has been closely tied to his handling of national security, the wars that followed the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks and his relationship with far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties.
Netanyahu has emphasized his government’s military record and its relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump. His political future also remains affected by ongoing corruption proceedings, which he denies.
If coalition negotiations fail, Netanyahu could remain caretaker prime minister while political parties attempt to establish a new government or prepare for another election.
Gadi Eisenkot Emerges as Netanyahu’s Main Challenger
Eisenkot, a former chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces, has presented himself as an alternative to Netanyahu’s leadership, arguing that voters have called for political change.
His campaign has drawn on his military background and criticism of the government’s handling of the security failures surrounding the October 7 attacks. He has also opposed the influence of some far-right coalition partners and criticized violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
Despite these differences, Eisenkot does not represent a complete departure from Netanyahu’s security outlook. He opposes Palestinian statehood under current circumstances and has argued that Hamas must be disarmed before Israeli forces withdraw from Gaza.
His challenge will be to translate his electoral support into a workable parliamentary coalition. Although several opposition parties share the objective of replacing Netanyahu, disagreements over security policy, religious exemptions from military service and potential partnerships with Arab-led parties could complicate negotiations.
Arab-Led Parties Could Influence Coalition Negotiations
Arab-led parties have emerged as an important factor in the post-election calculations.
Early projections suggested that these parties could collectively secure a substantial number of seats, potentially giving them influence over efforts to form a government. However, both Netanyahu and Eisenkot have expressed reservations about including Arab-led parties in their governing coalitions.
One possible arrangement would involve opposition parties forming a minority government with external parliamentary support from Arab-led factions. Such an agreement could allow a government to take office without incorporating those parties directly into the cabinet.
However, the approach would require negotiations over policy priorities and parliamentary cooperation. It could also face opposition from politicians who have ruled out relying on Arab-led parties.
The final election results and subsequent discussions will determine whether such an arrangement is politically viable.
A Unity Government Remains Another Possibility
A broader unity government involving parties from opposing political camps is another option under discussion.
Such an arrangement could bring together centrist and centre-right parties with some members of Netanyahu’s existing coalition. Depending on the terms, it could also require Netanyahu’s allies to accept a government without certain far-right or ultra-Orthodox parties.
Supporters of a unity arrangement could argue that cooperation would provide greater political stability during a period of regional tension. However, it could also create disagreements among parties that campaigned on replacing Netanyahu or rejecting specific coalition partners.
The negotiations would likely focus on the composition of the government, the prime minister’s position, military-service exemptions, judicial policy and the handling of the country’s security challenges.
Neither leader has yet demonstrated that he can assemble sufficient support to govern, leaving the possibility of a unity arrangement open but uncertain.
Israel’s Regional and Domestic Policies at Stake
The outcome of the negotiations could influence Israel’s approach to Gaza, Iran, settlements in the occupied West Bank and relations with international partners.
However, a change in leadership would not necessarily produce a fundamental shift in security policy. Netanyahu and Eisenkot share several positions, including opposition to Palestinian statehood under current conditions and demands that Hamas be disarmed.
Differences could emerge over the influence of far-right parties, the treatment of unauthorized settlement outposts, relations with Western governments and the balance between military action and diplomatic engagement.
Domestically, the next government will also face questions about accountability for the October 7 attacks, judicial independence and exemptions from compulsory military service for some ultra-Orthodox Jewish men.
The extent of any policy changes will depend not only on who becomes prime minister but also on the parties that ultimately join or support the government.
Another Election Cannot Be Ruled Out
If neither Netanyahu nor Eisenkot can secure sufficient parliamentary backing, Israel could face another election.
The country’s proportional representation system often requires multiple parties to negotiate coalition agreements, and political deadlock has previously resulted in repeated elections.
For now, the immediate focus is on the final vote count and the consultations that President Isaac Herzog will hold with political parties before deciding whom to task with forming a government.
The coming weeks could therefore prove decisive for Israel’s political future. Whether the country ends up with another Netanyahu-led administration, an opposition-led coalition, a unity government or a fresh election will depend on negotiations that remain unresolved.
Topic: Israel post-election negotiations, Benjamin Netanyahu’s political future, Gadi Eisenkot’s leadership challenge, Israeli coalition deadlock
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