Israel’s 2026 parliamentary election has left the country without a clear majority, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud-led bloc winning 53 seats in the 26th Knesset. The opposition bloc, led by Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party, secured 48 seats, while Arab parties won the remaining 19 seats.
The Central Elections Committee (CEC) released the final results on Friday morning. The outcome marks a significant setback for Netanyahu’s coalition, whose parties held 68 seats in the outgoing Knesset, The Times of Israel reported.
Neither bloc has secured the 61 seats required to form a parliamentary majority, making government formation a challenging task. Reports suggest negotiations could continue for more than two months.
The CEC will submit the official results to Israeli President Isaac Herzog on November 4 after completing checks into reported errors and complaints.
Herzog will then consult party leaders, who will recommend their preferred candidate for prime minister.
The newly elected Knesset will take the oath on November 10. Voter turnout reached 77.9 per cent, marking its highest level in decades.
Herzog has urged political leaders to avoid another election and approach coalition negotiations with an open mind. “We must do everything we can, certainly after yesterday, to avoid another round of elections,” he said, according to The Times of Israel.
Both Netanyahu and Eisenkot have asserted that they would form the next government. Netanyahu has called for a strong right-wing government and criticised parties willing to cooperate with Arab factions.
The election marks Israel’s first parliamentary contest since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, amid significant changes in the country’s political landscape.
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