Israel’s main opposition parties have agreed to begin coalition negotiations and back Gadi Eisenkot’s attempt to form a government, but deep disagreements over parliamentary support leave Benjamin Netanyahu’s future unresolved.
Opposition leaders agree to negotiate
At a meeting in Herzliya on Tuesday, 3 November, Yashar leader Gadi Eisenkot, former prime minister Naftali Bennett of B’Yachad, Democrats leader Yair Golan and Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Liberman agreed to launch talks immediately. Yair Lapid also attended.
The parties said they would recommend Eisenkot to President Isaac Herzog for the first opportunity to form a government and seek to establish what they called a national emergency government. Their negotiating teams will work on shared principles and coalition agreements. That is a commitment to negotiate, not a completed coalition.
Why the numbers are difficult
Israel’s 120-seat Knesset requires at least 61 seats for a majority. Following the 27 October election, Netanyahu’s allied parties hold 53 seats, the four Jewish-led opposition parties 48 and two Arab-led parties 19.
Together, the opposition and Arab-led parties would have 67 seats. But Liberman has ruled out governing with Arab parties, and Bennett has also opposed such an arrangement. Golan has urged cooperation with them. Support from outside a coalition, or a different agreement involving ultra-Orthodox parties, remains possible but has not been secured.
Election results ratified
On 4 November, Israel’s election commission ratified the results. According to the Associated Press, the commission found no evidence that fraud or irregularities compromised the outcome, despite allegations by Netanyahu and allies. A separate inquiry into suspected foreign interference does not establish that the result was altered.
President Herzog is beginning consultations with parties before deciding whom to ask to form a government. The new Knesset is scheduled to be sworn in on 10 November.
What could happen next?
Eisenkot could attempt a coalition or minority administration with parliamentary backing from Arab-led parties. Other possibilities include negotiations with ultra-Orthodox parties, a unity arrangement or another election if repeated efforts fail. None is an agreed outcome.
Netanyahu remains caretaker prime minister while the government-formation process continues. Losing a parliamentary majority does not itself remove him from office.
What would a new government mean for Gaza?
Any change of government could affect Israel’s negotiations over the Gaza ceasefire, military operations and humanitarian access. However, the opposition leaders have not announced an agreed new Gaza policy.
Eisenkot’s stated principles include ending Hamas’s military capabilities and its rule in Gaza. That means a government led by him should not automatically be interpreted as a shift towards an immediate end to all military action or unrestricted aid access.
There is no verified new crossing arrangement or improvement in the safety of independent humanitarian missions arising from these coalition talks.
What we know and what we don’t
Confirmed: Four opposition parties have agreed to negotiate and recommend Eisenkot; the election result leaves neither Jewish-led bloc with a majority; the election commission has ratified the results.
Unresolved: Whether Eisenkot can assemble 61 supporters, whether Arab-led parties will participate or support a government externally, and whether any eventual government would alter policy towards Gaza.
