Israel’s Election Deadlock Opens the Door to Another Iran Offensive

By Editorial Dept - Oct 30, 2026, 6:30 AM CDT Netanyahu’s bloc fell eight seats short of a Knesset majority on October 27, winning 53 of 120 seats to 48 for Gadi Eisenkot’s camp. The Arab parties took a record 19 on turnout of about 80% in Arab communities, up from 54% in 2022. Netanyahu will stay on as caretaker PM until a new government is sworn in. As leader of the largest party (Likud with 27 seats), he is also the most likely recipient of President Herzog’s first mandate to form a government, which runs 28 days and can be extended by 14.Netanyahu and Likud have spent the days since the vote claiming the election was stolen, which is a ploy to block the one coalition that could replace him. Eisenkot can reach 61 only with the Arab parties, and only if Avigdor Liberman’s seven seats stay with him. With Liberman, the anti-Netanyahu camp and the Arab slates hold 67 seats. Without him, they hold 60. Liberman campaigned on a government of “Zionist parties only”. Now, he appears to favor an Eisenkot-Netanyahu unity government. Bennett now says he will sit only with “Zionist” parties, and Likud is warning of the “Islamisation of Israel”. The party is using a Shin Bet inquiry into alleged Qatari funding of Arab turnout as the silver bullet of its propaganda. Israeli officials say the inquiry is being blown wildly out of proportion. Ben-Gvir wants Arab party leaders arrested and the result annulled. The two main possible outcomes both favor Netanyahu. A unity government keeps him in power, or a repeat election… COMMUNITY MEMBERSHIP (FREE) GLOBAL ENERGY ALERT ($697 $279 PER YEAR) Breaking energy stories before they hit the mainstream media Top quality analysis from industry veterans Exclusive investment opportunities Digestible data breakdowns Geopolitical insights from our network of over 600 operatives Risk-free 30-day money back guarantee