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Government without a majority, majority without a government: Israel’s new political reality

9:57 AM ETConfirmedShare via:          

World Desk

In Short: Neither Netanyahu's coalition nor the opposition bloc secured a majority in Israel's election, leaving the country in a political stalemate.

Israel's election results, certified on Wednesday, show that neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition nor the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot has secured a parliamentary majority, complicating the path to forming a new government. With 120 seats in the Knesset, a majority requires 61 seats, but both sides fall short of this number.

The opposition bloc is considering legislation to introduce direct elections for prime minister as a way to break the deadlock. This move reflects the deep ideological divisions and conflicting campaign promises that have left Netanyahu's opponents without a clear path to forming an alternative government.

The political deadlock is reminiscent of a biblical warning against power struggles and the division of the people, as noted by Israeli pollster Mitchell Barak, who told Al Jazeera, 'Essentially, we’re both on track to a government, and nowhere near being able to form one.'

The situation is further complicated by reports that Netanyahu pushed for a military attack on Iran in the weeks leading up to the election, but faced resistance from senior military commanders who questioned the urgency and political sensitivity of such an operation. Defence Minister Israel Katz denied these claims, insisting there was complete coordination between the political leaders and the military.

As the political deadlock continues, concerns about antisemitism and the division of the people remain at the forefront. Netanyahu's speech focused on the different fronts Israel is fighting, including the information front against countries that push antisemitic narratives and spread lies.

Background

What's confirmed

• Israel's election results, certified on Wednesday, show that neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition nor the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot has secured a parliamentary majority, complicating the path to forming a new government. With 120 seats in the Knesset, a majority requires 61 seats, but both sides fall short of this number.
• The opposition bloc is considering legislation to introduce direct elections for prime minister as a way to break the deadlock. This move reflects the deep ideological divisions and conflicting campaign promises that have left Netanyahu's opponents without a clear path to forming an alternative government.
• The situation is further complicated by reports that Netanyahu pushed for a military attack on Iran in the weeks leading up to the election, but faced resistance from senior military commanders who questioned the urgency and political sensitivity of such an operation. Defence Minister Israel Katz denied these claims, insisting there was complete coordination between the political leaders and the military.
• As the political deadlock continues, concerns about antisemitism and the division of the people remain at the forefront. Netanyahu's speech focused on the different fronts Israel is fighting, including the information front against countries that push antisemitic narratives and spread lies.

What's still developing

• On September 23, 2026, Israel’s Central Elections Committee disqualified every Arab-majority party from running in the October Knesset elections.
• Haley Stevens and a longtime Democratic supporter, says he will vote for Republican Mike Rogers over Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan, citing concerns about antisemitism, El-Sayed’s political associations and his positions on Israel and Iran.
• He wants unconditional support for a foreign government.
• The Bible itself warns, through the example of King Rehoboam, how a people can fracture when its political leaders place power above understanding and compromise.

Sources

• Al Jazeeralink
• Arabnewslink
• Israeltodaylink
• The Times of Israellink
• Times of Indialink
• CBS Newslink
• Arabcenterdclink
• Middleeasteyelink
• Vinnewslink
• Jpostlink
• Timelink
• Gulfnewslink
• Breitbartlink
• Washingtonexaminerlink
• WarpBeat — background on Netanyahu falls short of majority as Israel faces three possible paths to a new government link
• First Alert 6 — video link