Israel begins talks on new government
President Herzog consults parties after Netanyahu loses his majority.
There is news on this story (Thursday, 5 November 2026, 16:42): Arab parties back Eisenkot in Israeli coalition talks
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Israeli President Isaac Herzog began talks on Wednesday about forming a new government. The move follows certification of the election result, in which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies lost their parliamentary majority.
Herzog spoke on Wednesday with party representatives about who would be best placed to form a coalition. According to the Israeli election commission, the results are final and legally binding.
In the 27 October election, neither of the two main blocs won enough seats for a majority in the Knesset. This leaves several coalitions possible: Netanyahu may try to keep his religious-nationalist bloc together, while opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot may seek support from secular parties and Arab-led factions.
The election commission said on Wednesday that it had found no indications of irregularities that affected the result. Earlier, Netanyahu and his supporters had claimed without public evidence that Arab-led parties had stolen the election or received foreign assistance.
After the consultations, Herzog will appoint a candidate. Under the Israeli procedure, that candidate has 28 days to form a government, with a possible extension. If none of the candidates succeeds, Israel could return to the polls at the beginning of next year.
The outcome also matters for Israeli policy towards the wars in the region, the rule of law and relations between Jewish and Arab citizens. Until a coalition is formed, it remains unclear which parties will determine the country's direction. The coming negotiations could also increase the political role of Arab parties, but may face resistance from religious-nationalist factions.
Also show the region and a close-up
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The election result has been certified.
- No bloc has a parliamentary majority.
- President Herzog is consulting the parties.
- The election commission says it found no fraud that changed the result.
Left
Arguments A government should recognise the election result and fully involve Arab-led parties in forming a coalition.
Values Equal political representation, the rule of law and the protection of minorities.
Consequences Excluding Arab parties could further undermine confidence in democracy; cooperation could instead produce a broader government.
Centre
Arguments The president should focus primarily on which candidate can demonstrably form a stable majority and carefully follow the constitutional procedure.
Values Institutional continuity, governability and accountable decision-making.
Consequences A broad coalition could provide stability, but prolonged negotiations could delay decision-making.
Right
Arguments A government should put the security agenda and the Jewish majority at the centre and be cautious about relying on Arab parties.
Values National security, national identity and political clarity.
Consequences A coalition without Arab parties could be more ideologically cohesive, but may not have enough seats.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The central facts have been confirmed by the Associated Press and the Israeli government. Predictions about coalitions are presented as possibilities.
- confirmed Isaac Herzog began consultations on a new government on 4 November. — Reported by AP and announced by the Israeli government. source
- confirmed Netanyahu and his allies lost their parliamentary majority. — AP describes the loss of the majority after the election. source
- confirmed The election commission found no fraud that affected the result. — According to AP, the election commission reported no such irregularities. source
- confirmed An appointed candidate has 28 days to form a government. — This is stated in the Israeli government's official information. source
Editor's note
The certification of the result, the loss of the majority and the start of the consultations are certain. The eventual coalition and the prospect of new elections remain uncertain.Sources
- Israel’s president takes first steps on building new government after accepting election results — Associated Press
- President Herzog to begin consultations with Knesset factions — Government of Israel
The story so far
- Wednesday, 4 November 2026, 22:09 Israel begins talks on new government (this article)
- Thursday, 5 November 2026, 16:42 Arab parties back Eisenkot in Israeli coalition talks
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