{
  "id": 17107149,
  "title": "Israeli parties begin coalition talks with all votes counted",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/israeli-parties-begin-coalition-talks-with-all-votes-counted",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-29T18:57:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/2026/10/29/israeli-parties-begin-coalition-talks-with-all-votes-counted/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Israeli politicians have commenced discussions on forming a government following the completion of vote counting in the nation's general election, which revealed neither incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor his chief rival Gadi Eisenkot holds a clear path to power. Despite a surge in voter turnout, particularly in Arab communities, neither leader has secured the 61 seats required for a majority in the 120-member Knesset. Netanyahu's Likud party emerged as the largest with 20.5% of the vote, while Eisenkot's Yashar party came in second with 16.1%. With all votes counted, Netanyahu's right-wing coalition partners secured 53 seats, while parties backing Eisenkot amassed 48 seats. Arab parties achieved a record performance, winning the remaining 19 seats. The final tally has left Israel in a political limbo, with the President urging parties to negotiate a government formation without resorting to an early general election. Netanyahu's Likud-led bloc has 27 seats, while the group led by controversial ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich together hold seven and six seats respectively. Additionally, two ultra-Orthodox parties contribute to the remaining seats. The opposition camp, led by former Prime Ministers Yair Lapid and Naftali Bennett, holds 12 seats. The Arab Joint List, a coalition of Arab parties, secured 11 seats, with Raam party contributing eight seats. Despite various possibilities for forming a coalition, none appears easy, with leaders of the Arab parties offering their support to Netanyahu's opposition, a move that could potentially provide Eisenkot with a majority. However, this arrangement could face significant controversy in Israel and some members of the Eisenkot bloc have ruled it out during the campaign. Talks to form a new government started immediately after the election results, with Eisenkot expressing his commitment to resolving the political crisis, but providing no specifics on the process.",
  "summary": "Israeli politicians have begun talks on forming a government as the country finished counting votes in its general election, confirming neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor his main rival Gadi Eisenkot has a clear path to power. With all votes in, Mr Netanyahu's Likud party was the largest with 20.5 per cent of the vote – a better-than-expected result that gives Israel 's longest-serving…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}