Politics

Middle Israel: Netanyahu and Eisenkot both lost, but Israel may have emerged the winner

The opposition had every reason to win by a landslide, but Eisenkot offered no vision beyond replacing a failed government.

(L-R): Yashar head Gadi Eisenkot, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at Likud headquarters following the release of exit polls.

Israel cannot afford another election - its leaders must compromise for unity - opinion

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses Likud supporters in Jerusalem after Tuesday's exit polls showed the Likud remaining as the largest party.

Netanyahu survived Israel's election - but a political reckoning may only be beginning

Prime Minister and Likud party chairman Benjamin Netanyahu at the Likud party’s election headquarters at Binyanei HaUma (Jerusalem International Convention Center) in Jerusalem, following Israel’s general elections, early October 28, 2026.

Liberman rejects possibility of sitting with Arab parties, bloc leaders hold coalition talks


Israel’s coalition politics: How can you win an election and still lose power? - explainer

For Americans used to two-party politics, Israel’s elections can seem bewildering. It all comes down to how coalitions are built.

Voters casting ballots in Israel's 25th Knesset election

Eisenkot accuses Netanyahu of attempting to delegitimize election results

Eisenkot accused Netanyahu of launching an organized campaign to delegitimize Tuesday's election results, vowing to prevent any delay in the new Knesset's swearing-in.

Illustrative image of Benjamin Netanyahu and Gadi Eisenkot

Brothers before the ballot - opinion

People hold their positions out of conviction and love for the country and our people. But maybe the more important question of this election is not what we disagree on but how we treat each other.

 THE KNESSET marks its 75th birthday

Ra'am's Abbas rejects election interference claims, denies Qatari links 'unlike Netanyahu'

The Shin Bet launched the investigation following a directive issued by Central Elections Committee Chairman Justice Noam Sohlberg, citing "severe suspicions... regarding improper influence."

United Arab List (Ra’am) party chairman Mansour Abbas stands alongside fellow party members on stage following the release of exit poll results in the northern Israeli city of Sakhnin, on Israel’s general election night, October 27, 2026.

Shin Bet probes suspected Qatari, Turkish funding to boost Arab turnout in Israeli election

A CEC source told the Post that the investigation will not delay final results • Police arrest four more suspects in separate election-bribery case

Chairman of the Central Elections Committee (CEC), Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg, Acting Director-General of the CEC, Attorney Din Livne, and committee members attend the registration of party lists ahead of the upcoming Israeli elections at the Knesset in Jerusalem, September 7, 2026.

Liberman distances himself from opposition allies, pushes for unity government - report

Liberman cut off contact with former prime minister and B'Yachad leader Naftali Bennett and Yashar party chairman Gadi Eisenkot, refusing to answer phone calls from his opposition counterparts.

Yisrael Beiteinu party chairman MK Avigdor Liberman at the party’s election headquarters in Tel Aviv, on Israel’s general election night, October 27, 2026.

The results are in: Netanyahu's Likud is Israel's biggest party with 27 seats as all votes counted

Protesters rally outside Eisenkot's home with calls to include Arab parties in coalition • Shin Bet probes foreign election interference, warns against blaming Arab voters

Prime Minister and Likud party chairman Benjamin Netanyahu at the Likud party’s election headquarters at Binyanei HaUma (Jerusalem International Convention Center) in Jerusalem, following Israel’s general elections, early October 28, 2026.

Israel's election produced only one result - so why is everyone claiming victory? - analysis

With neither bloc securing a clear majority, Netanyahu, Bennett and Golan each claimed victory by defining the electorate differently, exposing divisions over who counts.

Yashar party chairman Gadi Eisenkot is seen at his party’s election headquarters in Tel Aviv, October 28, 2026

Trump says he saved Netanyahu from crushing election defeat - now, he wants influence - analysis

From Gaza to Syria and Lebanon, Trump wants an Israeli government that advances his regional ambitions, even if it means sidelining Ben-Gvir and Smotrich.

An election campaign poster featuring Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu alongside US President Donald Trump is displayed on a bus in Jerusalem, October 25, 2026

Israel election results: Netanyahu bloc wins 53 seats, opposition holds 48, Arab parties skyrocket

PM pulls ahead of Eisenkot with close to five million votes counted, but both blocs fall short of majority • Arab parties predicted to reach combined seat total of 19, complicating coalition efforts

A road sign stands in front of a large billboard featuring Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) of the Likud party and former military chief and leader of the centrist Yashar party, Gadi Eisenkot, in Ramat Gan on October 20, 2026.