Israel's opposition weighs reliance on Arab parties to oust Netanyahu
- Israel's opposition faces a dilemma over forming a government with Palestinian parties.
- A record-breaking Arab vote has created significant uncertainty for the opposition.
- Opposition leaders previously promised right-wing voters they would not rely on Arab parties.
- Arab political leaders are willing to support a minority government without cabinet positions.
- Benjamin Netanyahu remains in power as the country faces ongoing electoral deadlock.
Israel’s opposition is currently facing a significant political dilemma regarding whether it can form a government with the support of Palestinian parties. This follows a record-breaking Arab vote in the recent election that has created uncertainty over whether these parties will act as kingmakers.
The emergence of Palestinian parties in the Knesset is expected to reshape the political landscape of Israel. This impasse forces a choice between keeping Benjamin Netanyahu in power or forming a coalition backed by these parties.
Netanyahu remains in power despite voter punishment
Israel is currently experiencing electoral deadlock, leading to questions about whether Benjamin Netanyahu can use the ongoing war to ensure his political survival. Voters punished Benjamin Netanyahu in the recent elections, though they did not reject him entirely.
Critics blame Benjamin Netanyahu for his leadership during the October 7 event, his ongoing corruption trial, and a history of broken promises regarding cabinet appointments and the rotation of the premiership.
The Palestinians constitute an Arab national collective indigenous to the area, with roots extending back to populations that have inhabited the territory for thousands of years. As a community, they are highly homogenised, sharing a cultural and ethnic identity with close linguistic and cultural ties to other Levantine Arabs.
Opposition leaders struggle with campaign promises
Opposition leaders Gadi Eisenkot and Naftali Bennett made campaign promises to right-wing voters that they would not form a government reliant on Arab parties. An opinion piece in The Jerusalem Post on 30 October 2026 argues that the opposition must break these previous pledges to successfully oust Benjamin Netanyahu from power.
This author previously was the London-based Europe/Africa editor and the Cairo-based Middle East editor for the Associated Press.
Arab parties offer conditional support for minority government
Leaders in Arab politics have expressed a readiness to back a different minority government from beyond the coalition, provided they are not required to hold any cabinet seats. The Joint List stated their support is conditional on addressing specific concerns regarding the Palestinian question and crime within Arab communities.
Arab citizens account for approximately one-fifth of the total population of Israel. Middle East Eye published an article on 28 October 2026 detailing the identity of Palestinian citizens of Israel. Al Jazeera reported on 27 October 2026 that Palestinian citizens of Israel are unable to expect political change despite their ability to vote.
Historical precedents for Arab party involvement
The Israeli opposition requires the support of Arab parties to secure a majority in the Knesset. This precedent was established in 1992 under Yitzhak Rabin, 1999 under Ehud Barak, and 2021 under Yair Lapid.
Following the 2021 election, Benjamin Netanyahu attempted to negotiate with Mansour Abbas of the Ra'am party to form a government. This effort was blocked by Bezalel Smotrich.
Ultra-Orthodox influence on Israeli political arithmetic
Benjamin Netanyahu has historically relied on ultra-Orthodox parties to form governments. These parties maintain specific demands regarding public spending, education, and military service that significantly impact the nation's social cohesion, economy, and security.
Although some ultra-Orthodox parties are non-Zionist, their parliamentary seats are considered a standard element of the country's political arithmetic.
Historic surge in Palestinian voter turnout
A historic vote for Palestinian citizens of Israel was driven by frustration and fear, according to PBS. NPR reported a surge in voter turnout among Palestinian citizens of Israel during the most recent election.
CNN reported that this participation followed decades of boycotting and may influence future political developments.
International concerns over Israeli political instability
Analysis from Haaretz suggests that Israel's standing in the United States is on a precipice due to the ongoing election deadlock. ReliefWeb published an advance unedited version of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry report, A/81/460, concerning Israel, East Jerusalem, and the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
The Fédération internationale pour les droits humains reported that Israel continues to systematically target Palestinian health workers. The Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect issued Atrocity Alert No. 500, which covers Mali, Sudan, and Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
Liberman pushes for unity government
The Times of Israel reported on 28 October 2026 that Avigdor Liberman has cut off contact with the rest of the opposition. He is seeking a unity government between Gadi Eisenkot and Benjamin Netanyahu.
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