Israel is in a political deadlock. What comes next?
Israel faces a political deadlock following an election that left neither Benjamin Netanyahu nor Gadi Eisenkot with a clear path to a majority government. The country's president will now consult with party leaders to determine who has the best chance of forming a coalition.
Why it matters
The outcome will determine the future direction of Israeli policy and its governing coalition in a highly polarized environment.
TEL AVIV, Israel — Israel's election has produced a political deadlock, leaving neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor his main challenger, Gadi Eisenkot, with a clear path to forming a government.
The final results give opposition parties more seats than Netanyahu's right-wing bloc. But Eisenkot, a center-right former military chief of staff, cannot reach a governing majority without the support of predominantly Arab parties — an option Eisenkot's allies repeatedly ruled out during the campaign.
State of the World from NPR The Israeli election is deadlocked Netanyahu's Likud party received the most votes, but his bloc also falls short of a majority. The coalition of right-wing, far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties that supported his previous government does not control the 61 seats required for a majority in Israel's 120-seat parliament, known as the Knesset.
Here is what happens next and the possible paths to a new Israeli government.
Headlinne story · 8 newsrooms
Israeli Election Results Leave Parliament Deadlocked as Neither Major Bloc Secures Majority
What every outlet reported, where they differ, and how each framed it →
Also covering this story
23 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
The Iran war is deepening the US energy crisis. A bad winter is ahead | Mark Wolfe
US senator briefed on Trump's plans to restart Iran war says proposal is 'insane'
Israel piles pressure on Arab parties as Netanyahu seeks government
Israel's final election results show no bloc has won a majority
Arab Parties Emerge Kingmakers In Israel As Netanyahu Falls Short
Israeli opposition accuses Netanyahu of trying to 'delegitimise' election
Israel election result shows no overall majority as vote count complete
Difficult negotiations lie ahead in Israel after Netanyahu's bloc lost its parliamentary majority
Israel’s final election results show neither Netanyahu nor rival can immediately form government
Israeli opposition accuses Netanyahu of trying to 'delegitimise' election
Netanyahu’s party amplifies unproven claims that Arab-led parties have ‘stolen’ Israel’s election - AP News
Netanyahu's party claims Israeli election 'stolen' as results show him losing majority
Saudi Arabia asks Donald Trump to give Iran negotiations a chance before striking
With all votes counted, Netanyahu’s bloc has 53 seats, Eisenkot’s 48, Arab parties 19
Netanyahu bloc finishes in lead but without a majority, official Israel election results show
Netanyahu's unity government gambit: Can he lure Eisenkot from opposition?
Israel polls deadlocked, Netanyahu in a bind - what happens next?
Israel’s election ended in deadlock. Here are four ways out
Netanyahu bloc in lead without majority in Israel election, say official results
Israel deadlocked / Trump, Iran and the midterms
Israeli election ends in deadlock, with Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc winning the most seats
Trump May Order Major Iran Operation If Republicans Lose Big In Midterms: Report
Israel faces weeks of coalition haggling as neither bloc wins majority
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in