Mahmoud Abbas hopes a new Israeli government will revive stalled peace talks following an inconclusive general election, detikNews reported on Friday (30/10/2026). Speaking in Nicosia on Thursday (28/10) during a meeting with Cypriot Nikos Christodoulides, Abbas stated that Palestinians have extended their hand for peace over many years so that both nations can live in security and stability.
Israel Election Results Leave Knesset Split Without a Majority
The Central Elections Committee (CEC) announced the final election results on Friday (30/10) morning, revealing that no primary political bloc secured the 61 seats required to form a majority in the 120-seat Knesset. Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition won 53 seats, with his Likud party capturing 27 of them. Meanwhile, the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot secured 48 seats.
CNN Indonesia reported that vote counting reached 90.4 percent by Thursday (29/10), showing Netanyahu’s bloc dropping while Arab parties gained ground. According to the committee’s breakdown cited by CNN Indonesia, Netanyahu’s bloc tallied 52 seats at the time, Eisenkot held 48, and Arab parties claimed 20 seats—split between the Joint List with 12 and Ra’am with 8. Antara News added that Likud garnered 27 seats while Eisenkot’s Yashar party took 21 seats.
Coalition Hurdles and the Role of Arab Parties
The divided parliament points toward weeks of difficult coalition negotiations and potential political paralysis in Israel. Kompas.id noted that while a majority of Israeli voters rejected Netanyahu remaining as prime minister, deep-seated political marginalization and rhetoric from right-wing figures complicate any alliance with Arab lawmakers. Analysts cited by CNN Indonesia emphasize that Arab parties could serve as key kingmakers, yet uniting the fragmented opposition remains a steep challenge due to ideological divides.
If coalition talks fail, Israel faces the prospect of holding fresh elections, mirroring repeated political deadlocks in past years. Kompas.id outlined two primary scenarios: Netanyahu remaining as caretaker prime minister while Isaac Herzog consults party leaders, or a return to the ballot box if unity talks collapse.
Decades of Stalled Peace and West Bank Tensions
Formal peace negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis have remained frozen for years. Under Netanyahu’s administration, settlement expansion and violence against Palestinians spiked sharply in the West Bank, where Abbas’s Palestinian Authority administers limited self-rule. Right-wing ministers within Netanyahu’s coalition have openly advocated for annexing the West Bank and pushing residents out of both the West Bank and war-ravaged Gaza.
Netanyahu has led Israel through a devastating war since October 2023, reducing vast stretches of the Gaza Strip to ruins, according to detikNews. Aluf Benn, editor-in-chief of Haaretz, observed in commentary noted by Kompas.id that regardless of whether Netanyahu or Eisenkot governs, Israeli policy toward occupying neighboring territory and prosecuting military actions is unlikely to shift.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Israeli Election
How many seats are needed to form a government in Israel?
A party or coalition must secure at least 61 seats out of the 120 available in the Knesset to claim a parliamentary majority and establish a new government.
What were the final seat tallies for the major political blocs?
The Central Elections Committee announced that Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition won 53 seats, with Likud taking 27, while the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot secured 48 seats.
What happens if neither bloc succeeds in forming a coalition?
Israel faces the possibility of returning to new elections, a scenario that has played out several times during previous political stalemates.
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