Difficult talks ahead in Israel after Netanyahu's bloc loses majority
Final election results in Israel show that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc failed to secure a parliamentary majority, leading to complex coalition negotiations. The political landscape remains uncertain as parties weigh the possibility of partnering with Arab-led factions.
Why it matters
The outcome of these negotiations will determine the future of Israel's government and its policy direction in a deeply divided political climate.
<p>Israel's final election results confirmed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies lost their parliamentary majority and that weeks of difficult negotiations among very different parties, from ultra-Orthodox Jewish to secular to Arab-led, lie ahead.</p> <p>The results released early Friday (local time) showed <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/10/28/no-clear-winner-in-israeli-election-exit-polls-suggest/" target="_blank">Netanyahu’s bloc won 53 seats in Tuesday's election</a>. The main opposition bloc won 48. Arab-led parties secured the other 19, a historic showing. Now parties must meet, bargain and seek a way to team up for at least 61 seats in the 120-member Knesset.</p> <p>Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, remains in charge. His main opponents would most likely need to <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/10/29/netanyahus-rivals-consider-arab-parties-as-israel-waits-on-final-tally/" target="_blank">partner with the Arab-led parties</a> to replace him.</p> <p>Underscoring the fraught path ahead, Avigdor Lieberman, the leader of a right-wing anti-Netanyahu faction, on Friday appeared to rule out any partnership with Arab-led parties.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Faces Difficult Coalition Talks After Losing Majority
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