Following Israel’s closely contested parliamentary election, opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot and long-serving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu face difficult postelection choices that could reshape the country's political landscape.
For Eisenkot, forming a government presents a severe dilemma. To assemble a parliamentary majority without Netanyahu, the opposition leader would need support from either Arab-led factions—such as the Raam party and the Joint List—or elements of Netanyahu's right-wing bloc. Analysts note that partnering with non-Zionist Arab parties remains politically toxic for many Israeli voters, particularly regarding national security and foreign policy decisions following the events of October 7. Conversely, joining a unity government with Netanyahu or members of his alliance risks alienating voters who backed Eisenkot specifically to oust the incumbent prime minister.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu confronts his own high-stakes test of political survival as horse-trading begins to determine the next governing coalition. Israeli President Isaac Herzog will task a Knesset member with forming a government once official results are finalized, setting off a multiweek process that could heavily influence the trajectory of Israeli leadership.
