Following the October 27, 2026, Israeli election, Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc secured 53 seats in the 120-seat Knesset but fell short of a majority, while Gadi Eisenkot’s opposition bloc won 48 and Arab parties took a record 19. Netanyahu remains caretaker prime minister. President Isaac Herzog tasked Eisenkot with forming a government on November 8, giving him 28 days plus a possible 14-day extension ending around late December. Eisenkot has ruled out direct inclusion of Arab parties but explores a minority “national emergency” government relying on abstentions. Netanyahu has renewed calls for a broad unity government to address security threats including Iran, which Eisenkot has rejected as political maneuvers. Coalition talks continue amid risks of further deadlock or new elections.