Arab parties back Eisenkot: What’s the latest in Israel’s coalition talks?

What the report says

Israel’s postelection coalition talks remained unresolved on Nov. 2, 2026, after Arab-led parties said they would back opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot’s bloc in an effort to block Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from forming another government, Al Jazeera reported. The vote produced no majority in the 120-seat Knesset: Netanyahu’s Likud-led right-wing camp won 53 seats, while Eisenkot’s opposition bloc won 48. The Arab-led Joint List and Ra’am, which together secured a record 19 seats, could help Eisenkot reach the parliamentary support needed to challenge Netanyahu, even if they do not formally join his coalition.

According to Al Jazeera, Ra’am leader Mansour Abbas has indicated openness to supporting an Eisenkot government under certain conditions, while Joint List leader Yousef Jabareen said his party would cooperate to help remove Netanyahu and other far-right ministers but would not enter a governing coalition. Eisenkot’s bloc has insisted any partners accept Israel as a Jewish state, back military conscription and reject Hamas. Those demands highlight the political tension around relying on Arab parties, which have long faced marginalization in Israeli politics.

Netanyahu has accused Arab parties of election fraud, claims the article says Israeli election officials have rejected. A court and the elections chief also signaled that the results stand. President Isaac Herzog is due to begin consultations with party leaders after certification of the results on Wednesday, and will then assign the first mandate to form a government. If no coalition is assembled within the allotted time, the process could extend or return to another candidate.