Jerusalem, November 2, 2026: Israel’s political landscape has entered a fresh phase of uncertainty following the country’s closely contested parliamentary election. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has announced support for opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot, potentially strengthening efforts to prevent Benjamin Netanyahu from securing another term as head of government.

The latest political development has intensified negotiations between rival political groups, with neither major bloc securing the parliamentary majority required to form a government independently.

Bennett Throws Support Behind Eisenkot

Bennett’s political faction, B’Yachad, has announced that it will recommend Gadi Eisenkot to President Isaac Herzog as the candidate best positioned to form Israel’s next government.

The announcement is significant because Bennett’s support could help Eisenkot consolidate opposition forces during the upcoming coalition negotiations.

Eisenkot welcomed the backing and expressed his intention to work towards forming a new government.

Election Results Leave Israel Divided

The parliamentary election has produced a complicated political picture.

According to the published results, Netanyahu’s Likud party secured 27 seats, while Eisenkot’s Yashar party won 21 seats. Bennett’s faction obtained 12 seats.

The broader political blocs remain short of the 61 seats required for a majority in Israel’s 120-member Knesset.

The seat distribution is as follows:

• Netanyahu’s political bloc: 53 seats.
• Opposition bloc led by Eisenkot: 48 seats.
• Arab political parties: 19 seats.

These numbers have made coalition negotiations essential for determining the country’s next political leadership.

Netanyahu Faces a Difficult Government Formation Battle

Despite his bloc emerging with the largest overall seat count, Netanyahu cannot form a government without additional political support.

His opponents are exploring different coalition arrangements, including cooperation with Arab political parties. However, disagreements over military conscription, security policy and political alliances could complicate these efforts.

President Herzog to Begin Political Consultations

Israeli President Isaac Herzog is expected to receive the official election results on November 4 before beginning consultations with representatives of political parties.

The consultations will help determine which candidate has the strongest chance of forming a stable government.

The designated candidate will initially receive 28 days to build a coalition, with a possible additional 14-day extension.

Could Israel Face Another Election?

If neither Netanyahu nor Eisenkot succeeds in forming a workable coalition, Israel could face another parliamentary election.

For now, Bennett’s decision to back Eisenkot has changed the political calculations and given the opposition a new opportunity to challenge Netanyahu’s leadership.

The coming days will be crucial in determining whether Israel moves towards a new government or remains trapped in another prolonged political crisis.