Israel Election: Netanyahu Loses Majority as Opposition Weighs Palestinian Party Pact

The Guardian World · 2026-10-30
Israel Election: Netanyahu Loses Majority as Opposition Weighs Palestinian Party Pact

Israel faces a political crossroads after the final vote count confirmed Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right coalition lost its parliamentary majority. The opposition, led by retired general Gadi Eisenkot, now holds a clear path to power—but only if it forms a governing pact with Palestinian Israeli parties, which achieved a historic electoral result. This potential alliance would mark a defining shift in Israeli politics, testing whether the desire for change can overcome long-standing divisions. The outcome matters beyond Israel’s borders: a government including Palestinian parties could reshape policies on settlements, security, and regional diplomacy, while prolonged deadlock would risk a fifth election in three years. With Netanyahu’s era of dominance in question, all eyes are on coalition negotiations. The next days will reveal whether a new, more inclusive government can emerge—or whether Israel’s political stalemate deepens.