Israel’s recent parliamentary election, held on October 24, 2023, has produced an inconclusive outcome, with neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc nor opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot’s coalition securing the 61-seat majority needed to form a stable government. With over three-quarters of ballots counted, Netanyahu’s bloc held 54 seats and Eisenkot’s alliance 49 out of the 120-seat Knesset. The election, the first since the October 7 Hamas attack that triggered extensive military operations in Gaza and beyond, saw historically high voter turnout, nearing 78 percent.
A significant development was the surge in representation for Israeli Arab parties, projected to win 17 to 18 seats, marking a substantial increase compared to previous elections. This bloc, representing about 20 percent of Israel’s population—descendants of Palestinians who remained after 1948—voted largely in opposition to Netanyahu’s government, which they criticize for its nationalist and exclusionary policies. Prominent Arab leader Yousef Jabareen emphasized that any alternative government challenging Netanyahu’s rule would need to engage with Arab parties, calling for a “genuine Jewish-Arab partnership.” However, Eisenkot and much of his opposition have expressed reluctance or outright rejection of formal coalition ties with Arab lawmakers. Still, some voices within the opposition, including Yair Golan, have advocated for cooperation with Arab parties.
Netanyahu maintained a hardline stance throughout the campaign, warning that opposing him risked empowering Arab parties and threatening Israel’s Jewish nationalist direction. His slogan, “Either the Right or Palestine,” underscored deep divisions in Israeli society. Far-right figures allied with Netanyahu were critical of any suggestion of a unity government with Eisenkot, citing their opposition to Arab political influence. Nonetheless, a minority government supported from the outside by Arab lawmakers remains a theoretical possibility, though political analysts view such an arrangement as unstable.
Both Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, and Eisenkot, a former military chief new to politics, have vowed to attempt government formation amid signs that coalition talks could become protracted. Political experts warn that failure to build a majority could force new elections within months. Meanwhile, Netanyahu remains caretaker prime minister, with President Isaac Herzog tasked with selecting a leader to attempt government formation. Herzog reportedly favors a unity government, though Eisenkot has publicly ruled out partnering with Netanyahu.
Security concerns also loom large as both leaders reference the possibility of an Israeli military action against Iran, an issue Netanyahu has repeatedly emphasized. Netanyahu, addressing supporters, spoke of a “unique opportunity” with U.S. President Donald Trump to confront Iran, while Eisenkot cautioned against politicizing national security, labeling Netanyahu a caretaker without an electoral mandate.
The election underscored the polarized state of Israeli politics. Netanyahu faces ongoing corruption charges and an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court related to military actions in Gaza, where the war has caused widespread devastation and heightened uncertainty among residents. Opposition supporters and some analysts regard Eisenkot as a potential agent of moderation, seeking to curb extremism and promote inclusivity, particularly with regard to Israel’s Arab minority and settler violence in the West Bank.
As Israel stands at a political crossroads amid regional conflict and deep internal divisions, the coming weeks of coalition talks will determine the country’s immediate trajectory, with the possibility of renewed elections if a government cannot be assembled.