# Netanyahu's Election Edge in Deadlocked Israeli Vote

> Netanyahu leads with no clear path to government after election results.
- Title: Netanyahu's Election Edge in Deadlocked Israeli Vote
- Summary: Netanyahu leads with no clear path to government after election results. Netanyahu has no easy path to forming a government but could lead a center-right…
- Keywords: netanyahu, israeli election, knesset, likud, eisenkot, yashar, arab-led list, raam, center-right government, caretaker government, hamas attack, abraham accords
- Source: Foreign Policy — https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/10/28/netanyahu-election-eisenkot-israel-palestinians-trump
- Author: David E. Rosenberg
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: netanyahu, israeli election, knesset, likud, eisenkot, yashar, arab-led list, raam, center-right government, caretaker government, hamas attack, abraham accords
## Election Results
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu didn't win but has the upper hand as all other parties lost seats.
## Likud Party Status
Likud party has 26 seats in the 120-member Knesset, down 10 seats from current representation.
## Far-Right Coalition Drop
Far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties dropped five seats to 27 as a group.
## Netanyahu Bloc Seats
Netanyahu bloc holds 53 seats in the Knesset, short of the 61-seat majority needed for government.
## Eisenkot's Yashar Party
Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party won only 21 Knesset seats, less than polls predicted.
## Opposition Bloc Seats
Opposition bloc captured 48 seats, too small to form a coalition with Arab-led parties.
## Arab-Led Parties
Arab-led Joint List and Ra'am parties gained seats but won't have much influence in government formation.
## President Herzog's Preference
Israeli President Isaac Herzog prefers a center-right coalition over another election.
## Trump's Potential Influence
U.S. President Donald Trump may want to keep Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich out of the next government.
## Netanyahu's Historical Context
Netanyahu, 77, has led Israel for 30 years and could use a center-right government to expand the Abraham Accords.
## Netanyahu's Political Risks
Netanyahu risks alienating his base and far-right partners if he forms a unity government.
## Election Stalemate
A new election is likely as both major blocs remain divided over fundamental issues.
## Next Steps
Netanyahu may lead a caretaker government for several months before another election.
## Key takeaway

Netanyahu has no easy path to forming a government but could lead a center-right coalition or caretaker government.