Story perspectives

Supreme Court overturns ban on Arab-majority parties

By Drooid · Oct 5, 2026, 8:07 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Netanyahu Remains Caretaker

Supreme Court unanimously overturned disqualification of all Arab-majority parties on Oct. 2, 2026.
Netanyahu will remain caretaker prime minister if no bloc reaches 61 seats on Oct. 27, 2026.
Central Elections Committee ordered Netanyahu to delete five campaign videos and pay 29,000 shekels in fees.
Polls show Likud at about 52 seats and Eisenkot’s bloc below 61, creating a deadlock.

Summary

Trump Declines Endorsement

U.S. President Donald Trump declined to endorse Benjamin Netanyahu in October 27 election.
Trump said he is no longer involved when asked about Israeli voting.
He expressed disbelief that Netanyahu ignored United Arab Emirates and Egypt warnings of Oct. 7 attack.
Trump claimed Netanyahu would have acted if officials had known the imminent Hamas attack.
He said he hears no bad things about rival Gadi Eisenkot, whom he might work with.

History

Historical Context

In the 17 May 1977 election, Menachem Begin’s Likud captured 43 Knesset seats, ending almost three decades of Labor/Alignment rule—a shift dubbed “the upheaval” that saw 79 % voter turnout. The resulting fragmented coalitions sparked reforms that still shape Israeli politics, and the 2026 deadlock with Likud projected at 52 seats mirrors that historic transition.

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Netanyahu Remains Caretaker

Supreme Court unanimously overturned disqualification of all Arab-majority parties on Oct. 2, 2026.
Netanyahu will remain caretaker prime minister if no bloc reaches 61 seats on Oct. 27, 2026.
Central Elections Committee ordered Netanyahu to delete five campaign videos and pay 29,000 shekels in fees.
Polls show Likud at about 52 seats and Eisenkot’s bloc below 61, creating a deadlock.

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