Netanyahu's bloc finishes first without a majority in Israeli election, setting up weeks of coalition talks

Summary

Netanyahu's bloc finished first in Israel's election but lost its parliamentary majority, winning 53 of 120 seats against 48 for the main opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot, according to final results reported by France 24. Euronews reports that Arab parties now hold the balance of power, leaving party leaders facing a lengthy and likely tricky negotiation to form a government. CNBC reports that the opposition faces an uphill battle to form a majority government and that Netanyahu's party claims the election was "stolen". The Hindu reports that the results still need to be certified and submitted to the President next Wednesday, November 4, 2026, and PBS reports that talks will span very different parties, from ultra-Orthodox to secular to Arab-led.

Timeline

1. CNBC

   30 Oct 2026, 03:28 UTCSource ↗

   CNBC reports that Israel faces weeks of coalition bargaining and an uphill battle for the opposition to form a majority government, and that Netanyahu's party claims the election was "stolen".

2. Euronews

   30 Oct 2026, 07:31 UTCSource ↗

   Euronews reports that Netanyahu's bloc finished first without a majority, with Arab parties holding the balance of power and a lengthy, likely tricky negotiation ahead to form a government.

3. France 24

   30 Oct 2026, 10:08 UTCSource ↗

   France 24 reports that final results showed Netanyahu's bloc won 53 seats and lost its majority, while the main opposition bloc won 48, with difficult negotiations among very different parties ahead.

4. The Hindu

   30 Oct 2026, 13:09 UTCSource ↗

   The Hindu reports that the election results still need to be certified and submitted to the President next Wednesday, November 4, 2026, after Netanyahu's bloc lost its parliamentary majority.

5. PBS

   30 Oct 2026, 15:23 UTCSource ↗

   PBS reports that final results confirmed Netanyahu and his allies lost their parliamentary majority, and that weeks of difficult negotiations among very different parties, from ultra-Orthodox to secular to Arab-led, lie ahead.

6. France 24

   30 Oct 2026, 15:24 UTCSource ↗

   France 24 reports that exit polls on Tuesday showed Gadi Eisenkot's opposition bloc running neck and neck with Netanyahu's camp, leaving neither side with a clear path to power.