Arab parties are positioning themselves as the potential kingmakers in Israel’s political future, as the Joint List declares its readiness to join forces with Gadi Eisenkot’s opposition bloc to unseat Benjamin Netanyahu. While the coalition led by Netanyahu currently holds a narrow lead in seat counts, neither side has secured the 61-seat majority required to form a government, leaving the 19 seats held by Arab factions as the decisive factor in the ongoing stalemate.
Netanyahu and Eisenkot Vie for Parliamentary Majority
As of Thursday, October 29, 2026, the Central Election Committee (CEC) reported that nearly 90 percent of votes had been counted, according to detikNews. The results show the coalition supporting Netanyahu—comprising the Likud, Shas, United Torah Judaism, Otzma Yehudit, and Religious Zionism parties—leading with 53 seats. The opposition bloc under Gadi Eisenkot, which includes the Yashar, B’Yachad, Democratic, and Yisrael Beytenu parties, trails with 48 seats.
The remaining 19 seats belong to the Arab parties, Joint List and Ra’am. This result marks a significant increase from the 15 seats these parties secured in the previous election, detikNews reported. Because neither major bloc has reached the 61-seat threshold, the support of these Arab factions has become the central focus of negotiations.
Joint List Seeks to End Netanyahu’s Tenure
Ahmad Tibi, chairman of the Joint List, confirmed on Wednesday, October 29, that his party has received requests from the Eisenkot camp and is open to collaboration. "We are ready to help them bring down the government," Tibi stated, as cited by CNN Indonesia.
In an official statement, the Joint List emphasized that it would deploy its full political strength to end the current administration. The party expressed a willingness to cooperate with other factions to form an alternative government, framing the move as a necessary step to challenge policies they characterize as racist. The bloc aims to gain greater recognition for the rights of Arab citizens and to end their exclusion from the political decision-making system. Palestinian political analyst Ahmed Najar noted that a partnership with Arab parties remains the only "realistic" path for Eisenkot to secure a majority.
Financial Pressure Mounts on Israeli Markets
The political uncertainty surrounding the election has triggered volatility in Israel’s financial sector. According to CNBC Indonesia, the Israeli shekel fell approximately 2 percent against the U.S. dollar on Wednesday, closing at ILS 3.1164/US$. This represents the currency’s weakest finish since April 7, 2026.
Investors had initially hoped for a clear outcome that might signal a change in government, which some market participants believed could improve international relations and reduce political risk. The Tel Aviv stock index dropped by about 2.5 percent on Wednesday, and the yield on 10-year government bonds rose nearly 5 basis points to 4.13 percent. Analysts suggest that the pressure on the shekel is likely to persist as long as the process of forming a government remains unresolved.
BREAKING🇮🇱🇵🇸: Pro-Palestinian Arab Parties The Joint List (led by Yousef Jabareen) will Join Gadi Eisenkot to support the rights of Palestinian after record-high gain from Israeli-Arab votes.- Gadi Eisenkot and Netanyahu needs at least 9-12 seats from 17 Israeli Arab parties… pic.twitter.com/d47uvHwIxK
Frequently Asked Questions About the Israeli Election
When will the final election results be released?
The Central Election Committee expects to announce the final, official election results on November 4, 2026, according to detikNews.
How many seats are needed to form a government in Israel?
Under Israeli constitutional rules, a candidate for prime minister must command a majority of 61 seats in the 120-seat Knesset to form a government.
Why is the role of Arab parties significant in this election?
With 19 seats combined, the Joint List and Ra’am parties hold the balance of power. Because both the Netanyahu-led coalition and the Eisenkot-led opposition have failed to reach the 61-seat threshold on their own, the support of these Arab factions is required for either side to govern.
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