Gadi Eisenkot to be tasked with forming next Israeli government
In the November 7, 2026 Israeli elections, Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud faced a strong challenge from Gadi Eisenkot’s centrist Yashar bloc, with both sides failing to reach the 61-seat majority needed to form a government as coalition talks opened amid gains by Arab parties. The outcome maintains a precarious balance as negotiations proceed to assemble a governing majority and determine the post-election agenda amid calls for accountability following the October 7 attacks and related conflicts. The near-tie underscores a fragmented landscape where forming a stable coalition will shape the country’s immediate policy direction and leadership dynamic. The next phase will hinge on potential alliances and concessions among major blocs to establish a functioning government.
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leads Likud, facing a formidable challenge from Gadi Eisenkot, who launched the centrist Yashar party after leaving the military high command and campaigning on accountability and reform.
Neither Likud nor Yashar secured the required 61 seats to govern outright, leaving coalition negotiations at the center of post-election maneuvering and driving intensive talks among potential partners.
Arab political parties entered the mix as influential players in forming a broad-based coalition, complicating traditional blocs and amplifying the need for cross-community bargaining.
The electoral contest followed the broader security context, including the October 7 attacks and subsequent clashes, which framed the policy priorities and pressures on any forthcoming government.
Both Netanyahu and Eisenkot indicated openness to exploring alliances, signaling a potentially reformulated governing arrangement that could alter domestic and regional policy directions.