Story perspectives

Polls show Likud, Yashar fall short of 61-seat majority

By Drooid · Sep 16, 2026, 3:08 AM UTC · How we work

Center

Cohen sees minority coalition

Polls released after Knesset candidate lists closed show a fragmented political landscape ahead of Israel’s October 27 election.
Former Shin Bet chief Yoram Cohen said neither bloc reaches the 61-seat majority, so Yashar could form a minority government with Arab support while rejecting Otzma Yehudit.
i24NEWS poll lists Likud at 27 seats and Yashar at 22.
People of Israel party crossed the electoral threshold in nine of eleven recent polls.

Left

Bar Arab Parties

Polls released after Knesset candidate lists closed show a fragmented political landscape ahead of the October 27 election.
Coverage stresses that the fragmented race threatens democratic fairness, with Likud seeking to bar Arab parties and raising fears of election interference.
Likud moved to bar the Joint List and United Arab List, accusing them of terrorism.
Anger grew as Netanyahu was accused of ignoring Hamas warnings, with 59 percent fearing election interference.

Blindspot

Likud announced it would seek to bar the Joint List and United Arab List from the October 27 election, accusing the parties of supporting terrorism despite lacking evidence.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Left-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Center-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

The 1977 Mahapach, when Menachem Begin’s Likud ended Labor’s long rule by forming Israel’s 18th Government after the 17th, first excluded Arab parties from coalition talks. That precedent of marginalizing Arab representation resurfaces today as Likud seeks to block the Joint List and United Arab List, raising fears of renewed polarization and legal battles.

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Cohen sees minority coalition

Polls released after Knesset candidate lists closed show a fragmented political landscape ahead of Israel’s October 27 election.
Former Shin Bet chief Yoram Cohen said neither bloc reaches the 61-seat majority, so Yashar could form a minority government with Arab support while rejecting Otzma Yehudit.
i24NEWS poll lists Likud at 27 seats and Yashar at 22.
People of Israel party crossed the electoral threshold in nine of eleven recent polls.

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