Netanyahu loses majority as Palestinian parties surge, coalition talks begin

Projections from Israel’s recent election show a surge in votes for Palestinian parties, contributing to the highest turnout in decades. The surge left both Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc and the opposition led by retired General Gadi Eisenkot short of a governing majority, according to The Guardian.

With Netanyahu’s governing majority gone, his political future now hinges on whether opposition Jewish parties will join forces with the newly strengthened Palestinian factions. The Guardian notes that the possibility of a broad coalition remains uncertain.

Eiskot, who heads the Jewish opposition bloc, appeared to reject the idea of such an alliance in an overnight statement, declaring a “Zionist majority” and framing his position as a premature victory.

Why it matters

The loss of a majority for Netanyahu and the rise of Palestinian parties could reshape Israel’s political landscape and determine the composition of any future government.

Key details

Location

Israel · Middle East

Reported by

The Guardian

First reported

29 Oct 2026, 01:28 IST

Key names

Eisenkot, Benjamin Netanyahu, Rise of Palestinian, Jewish

Section

Politics

Sources

This is an independent summary. Read the full, original reporting from the publisher:

• The GuardianCoalition talks loom in Israel as Netanyahu and Eisenkot blocs set to fall short of majority 29 Oct, 01:28

Read the full story at The Guardian ↗

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