Live Updates: Eisenkot slams Netanyahu's 'unity' calls as political play, as Smotrich calls on Eisenkot to accept
Shas refuses to negotiate with 'left-wing coalition'• Netanyahu warns haredi parties against joining Eisenkot bloc • Eisenkot backs Elisaf Peretz, condemns 'racist anti-Arab campaign'
Follow us on GoogleYashar head Gadi Eisenkot seen behind Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as party leaders pose for a group picture in the Knesset, in Jerusalem, November 10, 2026(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)
Coalition talks at a crossroads as Eisenkot, Netanyahu battle for haredi parties
One of the central issues occupying the haredi parties is the guarantees they would receive that commitments made to them would be honored after the government is sworn in.
ByANNA BARSKYYashar party chairman Gadi Eisenkot alongside members of his party at the party’s election headquarters in Tel Aviv, following the closing of polling stations and the release of exit poll results on Israel’s general election night, October 28, 2026. (photo credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI/FLASH90)Go to the full article > >
Likud MK Medan camps outside Knesset calling for national unity to help Israel remain 'one people'
"I intend to stay in the tent day and night, in the cold and the rain, to give voice to large sections of the people who keep reaching out to me with their longing for unity," Madan wrote.
ByESTHER DAVISMK Elisha Medan arrived outside the Knesset this evening and began setting up a tent, as part of his call for the formation of a broad national unity government.(photo credit: Office of MK Elisha Medan (Likud))Go to the full article > >
Eisenkot slams Netanyahu's unity government call as 'political spin,' says negotiations scheduled
Eisenkot accused Netanyahu of political spin over his unity government appeal, saying talks were already scheduled and demanding a break with extremists.
ByTOBIAS HOLCMAN, ESTHER DAVISPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot at a ceremony following the swearing-in of the 26th Knesset at the Knesset in Jerusalem, November 10, 2026.(photo credit: CHAIM GOLDBERG/FLASH90)Go to the full article > >
Shas says it isn't negotiating with 'any party in left-wing coalition,' in response to Pindrus
Netanyahu: Unity government is answer to MKs who walked out during 'Hatikvah'
Netanyahu called for a national unity government following his meeting with Eisenkot, invoking the Hatikvah walkout and warning of Iran's nuclear threat.
ByJERUSALEM POST STAFFIllustrative image of Benjamin Netanyahu and Gadi Eisenkot(photo credit: Miriam Alster/Flash90, NOAM MOSKOVITZ/KNESSET, YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)Go to the full article > >
Liberman pledges to establish commission of inquiry into October 7 massacre
Knesset power struggle: Will Eisenkot's bloc control the agenda?
The opposition holds a majority in the new Knesset and plans a vote to replace the speaker. Netanyahu’s unity calls show a worried leader, says Keshet Neev.
The final voter turnout was 77.7% when polls closed at 10:00 p.m., according to the Central Elections Committee (CEC), up 7.1% from the 2022 election.
Likud remains the largest party: Netanyahu's Likud won 27 seats, followed by Eisenkot's Yashar with 21 and Naftali Bennett's B'Yachad with 12.
Netanyahu's bloc leads, but falls short of a majority: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc holds 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset, while the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot won 48 seats.
Arab parties hold 19 seats: The Joint List and Ra'am secured a combined 19 seats, giving them a potentially decisive role in efforts to form the next government.
What happens next? President Isaac Herzog has awarded the mandate to Eisenkot, presenting him with the task of forming the next government. Eisenkot will initially have 28 days, with a possible 14-day extension, to form a coalition.
Could Israel face another election? If no candidate succeeds in forming a government through the prescribed process, the political deadlock could ultimately lead to another election.
