Netanyahu and Eisenkot Face Stalled Government Formation in Israel
Neither leader holds the 61 seats required to rule, leaving the Knesset in a deadlock that could trigger a new election or a fragile unity pact.
By Christopher Singh ·
Israel is locked in a political impasse following its latest election, with neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor challenger Gadi Eisenkot commanding the 61 seats necessary to form a majority in the 120-seat Knesset. The result leaves both blocs short of a governing coalition, forcing a complex negotiation process that could take months or lead to another vote.
The final tallies show opposition parties holding more seats than Netanyahu's right-wing bloc. However, Eisenkot, a former military chief of staff, lacks a majority without support from predominantly Arab parties. His allies ruled out such a partnership during the campaign, creating a strategic gap. Netanyahu’s traditional coalition of right-wing, far-right, and ultra-Orthodox parties also falls short of the required threshold.
In the coming days, the Israeli president will consult with party leaders to determine who has the best chance of assembling a government. The president is not bound to choose the leader of the largest party but will select the candidate deemed most likely to succeed. That leader receives 28 days to secure 61 votes, with a potential 14-day extension. If the attempt fails, the president may grant another candidate the same opportunity.
A unity government remains a primary possibility, as reports suggest President Trump favors this outcome. Such a coalition would likely include moderate parties and facilitate cooperation with the U.S. on Gaza reconstruction and Saudi normalization. However, Eisenkot has pledged not to serve under Netanyahu, and the two must resolve the prime ministerial role, potentially through rotation. Alternatively, Eisenkot could form a government with outside support from Arab parties, a move that contradicts his campaign promises but would yield a majority of more than 67 seats.
If negotiations fail, Israel may return to the polls. Netanyahu might benefit from a repeat election if Arab turnout declines or if overseas liberal voters do not return. Another path involves defections, though Netanyahu needs roughly eight switchers while Eisenkot needs about 13 if he excludes Arab parties, a scenario that appears unlikely.
While coalitions are debated, the opposition aims to wield legislative power. Eisenkot’s bloc considers replacing the Knesset speaker and establishing a commission of inquiry into the failures preceding the Oct. 7, 2023, attack. They also seek to reverse legislation that critics say weakened judicial independence. These moves allow opponents to advance policy before a new government is seated.
A renewed conflict with Iran could disrupt these plans. Netanyahu stated on election night that Israel must complete its mission against Iran. Eisenkot warned against using security for political gain. Analyst Danny Citrinowicz noted that Netanyahu has an incentive to restart the war to pressure Eisenkot into a unity government, a dynamic similar to the period following the Oct. 7 attack.
