Story perspectives

Netanyahu, Eisenkot Deadlock Keeps Israel From Forming Government

By Drooid · Oct 26, 2026, 8:01 AM UTC · How we work

Center

No Bloc Majority

Israeli voters cast ballots in a national parliamentary election on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
Polls show neither Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud bloc nor Gadi Eisenkot’s opposition alliance is expected to win the 61 seats needed to form a government.
A Maariv poll October 23 gave Gadi Eisenkot 49% versus Benjamin Netanyahu’s 41% in a matchup.
Committee let Netanyahu, Daniel Levy and Itamar Ben Gvir meet despite the attorney general’s objection.

Left

War Conduct Referendum

Israeli voters cast ballots in a national parliamentary election on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
The electorate views the election as a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Gaza war conduct and demands accountability.
Thousands gathered in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square demanding an independent inquiry commission into October 7 attacks.
Palestinian residents of Gaza said election would not ease hardship, stressing needs shelter, food, rebuilding.

Blindspot

The Central Elections Committee permitted a meeting on election day between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Police Commissioner Daniel Levy, and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, despite the attorney general’s objection that pre-vote election-integrity discussions should be barred.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Center-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Left-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

Founded in 1973, Likud’s 1977 victory with 43 Knesset seats under Menachem Begin ended three decades of Labor rule and ushered Israel’s first right-wing government, supported by the National Religious Party. The October 27, 2026 election repeats that fragmentation, as Netanyahu’s Likud bloc and Eisenkot’s alliance each fall short of the 61 seats needed for a governing majority, reviving calls for electoral reform.

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No Bloc Majority

Israeli voters cast ballots in a national parliamentary election on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
Polls show neither Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud bloc nor Gadi Eisenkot’s opposition alliance is expected to win the 61 seats needed to form a government.
A Maariv poll October 23 gave Gadi Eisenkot 49% versus Benjamin Netanyahu’s 41% in a matchup.
Committee let Netanyahu, Daniel Levy and Itamar Ben Gvir meet despite the attorney general’s objection.

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