Israel election results 2026: Netanyahu and Eisenkot deadlock as coalition talks begin

Israel's Central Election Committee will officially declare the 2026 legislative election results today, November 4, following an October 27 vote that left no bloc with a 61-seat majority in the 120-seat Knesset. Incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc won 53 seats, while the opposition led by Gadi Eisenkot secured 48, creating a deadlock over government formation. Arab parties Joint List and Ra'am achieved a record 19 seats, positioning them as potential kingmakers, though an informal anti-Arab veto among Jewish-led parties complicates coalition prospects. Netanyahu has called a coalition with Arab parties "a shame and disgrace," and tensions remain heightened following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks. President Isaac Herzog will begin consultations with party delegations, with a November 11 deadline to assign a prime minister candidate. Netanyahu remains caretaker leader until a new government wins a confidence vote, but if coalition talks fail, Israel could face another snap election.