Palestinian political parties achieved notable gains in Israel’s general election held Tuesday, with exit polls indicating they will secure between 17 and 18 seats in the 120-seat Knesset, compared to their previous 10 seats. This substantial increase in representation marks a significant shift in the country’s political dynamics and could prove decisive in determining which coalition forms the next government.
Exit polls showed the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition in a tied position. Neither side appears to have secured the 61 seats necessary for an outright majority in the Knesset. This stalemate means President Isaac Herzog will have discretion in determining which leader receives the first opportunity to form a government, with negotiations potentially extending over several weeks while Netanyahu’s current coalition continues in a caretaker capacity.
Eiskenkot’s path to a governing majority would likely require cooperation with Palestinian parties, particularly Ra’am and the Joint List. Ra’am, led by Mansour Abbas, has previously participated in a right-leaning coalition and has expressed willingness to compromise, stating Tuesday that his priority is preventing Netanyahu’s political survival. The Joint List, the larger Palestinian grouping projected to win 11 or more seats, presents a more challenging negotiating prospect. Eisenkot has outlined four conditions for talks with the Joint List, including recognition of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state and acceptance of military conscription for Arab Israelis, though Joint List officials indicated they would negotiate as equals rather than accept preconditions.
Alternatively, Eisenkot could attempt to form a minority government with informal vote-by-vote support, though such an arrangement would likely prove unstable and potentially trigger another election. Netanyahu has demonstrated resilience in past political setbacks and possesses considerable dealmaking skills, leaving open the possibility of another political recovery, though this time potentially dependent on opposition cooperation to prevent his political opponents from gaining power.
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