Following the October 27, 2026, Knesset election, neither Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing and religious bloc (53 seats) nor Gadi Eisenkot’s centrist-to-right opposition alliance (48 seats) secured the 61-seat majority required to form a government, with Arab parties holding a record 19 seats. President Isaac Herzog formally tasked Eisenkot with coalition formation on November 8, granting him 28 days plus a possible extension to reach a majority. Eisenkot has signaled openness to a broad “national emergency” government, potentially including ultra-Orthodox parties or select Likud members, while ruling out direct Arab-party participation. Netanyahu remains caretaker prime minister amid stalled talks, mutual vetoes within blocs, and debates over issues such as Haredi conscription and an October 7 inquiry. If Eisenkot fails, the mandate may pass to Netanyahu or trigger new elections, keeping formation prospects closely contested.