Netanyahu's position weakens as ultra-Orthodox party withholds support after deadlocked Israeli election

Summary

Israel's October 27 election ended in deadlock, with neither Benjamin Netanyahu nor his chief rival Gadi Eisenkot securing a clear path to a majority in Parliament, according to The Hindu. On Thursday, November 5, Netanyahu's position in the battle to stay on as prime minister weakened after an ultra-Orthodox Jewish party withheld support for any nominee. Netanyahu's main rival secured nods from a majority of lawmakers to try to form a government, and two Arab-led parties endorsed that opponent, according to the Straits Times. Israel's president said it was still unclear who could break the election deadlock and pledged to nominate a candidate on Sunday.

Timeline

1. Straits Times

   5 Nov 2026, 11:17 UTCSource ↗

   The Straits Times reports that Netanyahu's position in the post-election battle to stay on as prime minister weakened on Thursday after an ultra-Orthodox Jewish party withheld support for any nominee and two Arab-led parties endorsed his main opponent, and that Israel's president pledged to nominate a candidate on Sunday.

2. The Hindu

   5 Nov 2026, 13:03 UTCSource ↗

   The Hindu reports that Israel's October 27 election ended in deadlock, with neither Benjamin Netanyahu nor his chief political rival Gadi Eisenkot securing a clear path to a majority in Parliament.