Following the October 27, 2026, legislative election in Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu’s conservative bloc won 52 seats while opposition challenger Gadi Eisenkot secured 48 seats, leaving both camps short of a parliamentary majority in the 120-seat Knesset, as reported by CNN Indonesia.
Arab Parties Gain Seats Amid Difficult Coalition Negotiations
With 90.4 percent of the vote counted by Thursday, October 29, the Central Elections Committee confirmed that Arab parties gained significant ground, securing 20 seats split between the Joint List with 12 and Ra’am with 8, according to CNN Indonesia. ANTARA News noted that Likud led with 27 seats while Eisenkot’s Yashar took 21, but forming a stable governing coalition requires reaching the 61-seat threshold. Experts cited by CNN Indonesia warned that deep political divisions make coalition negotiations exceptionally difficult, leaving Netanyahu’s bloc at 52 seats and making the Arab parties potential kingmakers.
Berlin Maintains Diplomatic Caution
In Berlin, federal government officials have refrained from offering a political assessment of the election outcome while the path to a new government remains unclear. During a federal press conference on Wednesday, October 29, Martin Giese, spokesperson for Minister of Foreign Affairs Johann Wadephul of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), stated that Germany maintains contact with all parties through its ambassador in Israel, Alexander Graf Lambsdorff. Giese emphasized the enduring historical ties between Germany and Israel, noting that Berlin will work to build cooperation with whichever administration ultimately takes power.
Humanitarian Concerns Over Gaza and the West Bank
German Development Minister Reem Alabali Radovan, speaking to Politico during a visit to Lebanon, warned that prolonged coalition talks could delay humanitarian aid distribution to the Gaza Strip as winter approaches. Alabali Radovan stressed that civilian survival cannot wait for politicians to conclude power-sharing talks and called for expanded access for aid organizations. She also demanded an end to radical settler violence in the West Bank, noting that Netanyahu’s caretaker government remains responsible for reining in such actions.
Shifts in German Foreign Policy Debates
While traditional ties remain strong, Berlin has increasingly distanced itself from Netanyahu’s policies through open criticism. Foreign Minister Wadephul previously criticized large-scale military operations near Hebron that displaced roughly 3,000 Palestinians following the deaths of two Israeli soldiers. Despite speculation regarding policy shifts, Berlin has not signaled an intent to recognize a Palestinian state. Lawmaker Jrgen Hardt of the CDU told DW that a centrist government would best serve Israel.
Netanyahu Bloc and Opposition Fall Short of Governing Majority
What is the current seat distribution in the Israeli parliament following the October election?
The Central Elections Committee reported that Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc won 52 seats, opposition challenger Gadi Eisenkot’s camp secured 48 seats, and Arab parties collected 20 seats, leaving both main factions without the 61-seat majority required to govern alone.
How has the German government responded to the election results?
Berlin officials declined to offer a formal political assessment of the outcome, emphasizing through Foreign Ministry spokesperson Martin Giese that Germany maintains diplomatic ties with all sides and will cooperate with whichever administration is formed.
What role do Arab parties play in the current coalition negotiations?
With the Joint List holding 12 seats and Ra’am holding 8 seats, analysts cited by CNN Indonesia view the 20 combined seats of the Arab parties as crucial factors that could complicate coalition building or potentially support an opposition minority government.
The protracted negotiations follow an electoral cycle where the Knesset remains deeply fragmented, reflecting underlying divisions over military service exemptions for Haredi communities and the broader distribution of political power.