Israel Election Results 2026: Who won? Can Netanyahu form government or will Arab-Jewish alliance take power?

Israel election results 2026 have left Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu facing a difficult battle to form the next government, with neither major political bloc securing the parliamentary majority needed to rule independently. Although Netanyahu's right-wing alliance has emerged as the largest bloc in the initial count, a historic gain by Arab-led parties has opened the door to an alternative government.

With nearly 90 percent of ballots counted, Netanyahu's bloc was projected to win 53 seats in Israel's 120-member Knesset, while the opposition bloc led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot was expected to secure 48 seats. Arab-led parties were projected to win a combined 19 seats, putting them in a potentially decisive position during coalition negotiations. The final Israel election results is expected by Friday, and official election results will be formally published a week later, on November 4.

The results of the October 27 election have raised two major questions: Can Netanyahu return as prime minister, and will opposition parties join forces with Arab lawmakers to form a new government as the final result could depend on political negotiations in the coming days.

Israel Election Results 2026: Who won?

The election has therefore produced no clear winner in terms of who can govern. Netanyahu's Likud party and its right-wing and ultra-orthodox allies have taken the lead in the initial seat projections. However, the alliance remains short of the 61 seats required to command a parliamentary majority. The opposition bloc led by Eisenkot has also fallen short of the majority mark. Its prospects depend partly on whether it can secure support from Arab-led parties and overcome disagreements among its own members.

The Arab parties, meanwhile, have recorded a historic combined performance. The Joint List was projected to win 12 seats, while Ra'am was expected to secure seven. Their combined strength of 19 seats could give them considerable influence over the government formation process.

Will Netanyahu fail to form the government?

Netanyahu faces a significant challenge in securing enough parliamentary support to form another coalition. His alliance's projected 53 seats leave it eight short of the 61-seat majority. His traditional partners include far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties. However, the results suggest that their combined strength may not be sufficient to return Netanyahu to power without additional support or a political arrangement with other parties.

The prime minister has indicated that he intends to remain with his existing right-wing partners. That position could limit his options if he can't persuade other lawmakers to join his coalition. Netanyahu is not necessarily out of the race, though. He could explore a broader coalition, negotiate with rival political leaders or continue as caretaker prime minister while parties attempt to break the deadlock.

The opposition's divisions could also work in his favour. If parties opposed to Netanyahu can't agree on a common leader or a workable coalition, he may retain a path to power despite falling short of a majority.

Can an Arab-Jewish government be formed in Israel?

An Arab-Jewish government has emerged as one of the most consequential possibilities following the election. Opposition leaders face a choice between cooperating with Arab-led parties or attempting to form a government without their support. The arithmetic offers a potential route. The opposition bloc's projected 48 seats, combined with the 19 seats expected for Arab-led parties, would amount to 67 seats. That is enough to cross the 61-seat majority threshold.

However, the political challenge is much more complicated than the numbers suggest. Several opposition leaders have previously ruled out relying on Arab parties to form a government. Such an arrangement could require them to reverse campaign commitments and negotiate agreements on security, public spending, minority rights and other policy priorities.

Yair Golan, leader of the Democrats party, has called for an opposition government that works in partnership with Arab citizens and their political representatives. Leaders of the Joint List have also signalled their willingness to help prevent Netanyahu's return to power.

But support for removing Netanyahu does not automatically mean Arab parties may join a governing coalition. The Joint List has indicated that it could support an alternative government from outside the coalition rather than take ministerial positions. That distinction matters. An Arab-backed minority government could be possible if it secures sufficient support in the Knesset, but it would face a different set of political and parliamentary challenges from a conventional majority coalition.

Why are Arab parties now are so important in the 2026 Israel Election?

Arab-led parties have emerged as potential kingmakers after securing a projected combined 19 seats, a record level of representation for the two groups. Their gains have complicated Netanyahu's efforts to form a government and placed pressure on opposition parties that have historically been reluctant to work with Arab lawmakers.

The election also highlighted the importance of Arab voter turnout. Strong participation helped increase the parliamentary representation of Arab-led parties, giving them greater influence over the negotiations that will determine Israel's next government.

For the opposition, cooperation with these parties could offer a practical way to reach a majority. Yet ideological disagreements and long-standing divisions over national security and the role of Arab political representatives could prevent the arrangement from materialising. The result has consequently put a central question before Israeli politics: will parties opposed to Netanyahu prioritise a shared goal of replacing him, or will their differences prevent them from forming an alternative government?

What happens if Netanyahu can't form a government? Will he remain Prime Minister if no coalition form govt?

Israel's president, Isaac Herzog, will play an important role in the next stage of the process. After the official results are released, he is expected to consult party leaders and decide who should receive the first opportunity to form a government. If the first attempt fails, another leader may get an opportunity, subject to the country's constitutional procedures and deadlines.

Until a new government takes office, Netanyahu is expected to remain caretaker prime minister. His administration would continue to govern during the transition, although a prolonged political stalemate could complicate decision-making. If negotiations fail to produce a viable coalition, Israel could face another election. That would extend the political uncertainty rather than resolve the question of who should lead the country.

Three broad scenarios are possible: Netanyahu could assemble a government through further negotiations; opposition parties could form an Arab-backed alternative; or prolonged deadlock could eventually lead to another election.

For now, the most important development is not simply which party has won the most seats. It is whether any group of parties can agree on a government that commands sufficient support in parliament.