Naftali Bennett

Opposition leaders move to oust Knesset Speaker Ohana before forming government - report

At the same time, Arab party leaders expressed that they were insulted not to have been asked to take part in the opposition bloc's negotiations for the next government.

|ByMAARIV, MAYA ZANGER-SHAMIR
Five 'change bloc' leaders meet in Yair Lapid's Tel Aviv home.
Yashar party chairman Gadi Eisenkot alongside members of his party at the party’s election headquarters in Tel Aviv, following the closing of polling stations and the release of exit poll results on Israel’s general election night, October 28, 2026.

Joint List, Ra'am expected to recommend Eisenkot for prime minister when meeting Herzog

Mossad to provide Shin Bet with assessment of suspected foreign interference in elections • Likud MKs deny that they Yashar members asking them to defect • Liberman denies speakership reports

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Prime Minister and Likud party chairman Benjamin Netanyahu at the Likud party’s election headquarters in Jerusalem, October 28, 2026

Netanyahu, Eisenkot must reach a deal to end Israel's political deadlock - opinion

Eisenkot, Bennett, Liberman, Lapid and, yes, even Golan, must reconsider their refusal to serve in a Netanyahu government. The PM should accept an arrangement that includes his retirement.

|ByARYEH GREEN
Illustrative image of Benjamin Netanyahu and Gadi Eisenkot

Eisenkot must beat Netanyahu at his own game, not repeat Gantz's mistakes - opinion

Netanyahu lost ground, but the opposition failed to win. Eisenkot must play hardball as details emerge of a missed merger with Bennett.

|ByBEN CASPIT

Netanyahu survives the election, but Eisenkot holds key to replacing him - analysis

Netanyahu remains in office without a majority, while Eisenkot must overcome opposition divisions to form a government or face another election.

OCTOBER 31, 2026ByANNA BARSKY
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.

Likud MKs deny that they Yashar members asking them to defect, Eisenkot sets coalition principles

Mossad to provide Shin Bet with assessment of suspected foreign interference in elections• Gadi Eisenkot, Yair Lapid meet to discuss election results, coordinate next steps

OCTOBER 31, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Demonstration at Habima Square in Tel Aviv in support of a Jewish-Arab partnership for the new government.

Herzog can secure his presidential legacy by bringing Netanyahu and Eisenkot together - opinion

Herzog has a chance to shape his presidential legacy by pushing Netanyahu and Eisenkot to put national interests ahead of political rivalries.

OCTOBER 30, 2026ByDAVID M. WEINBERG
Israeli President Isaac Herzog casts his vote during general elections in Jerusalem on October 27, 2026.

Israel's opposition must break its promise, rely on Arab parties to oust Netanyahu - opinion

The opposition should stop overthinking, get out of its own way, thank the Arabs for their support, and get on with saving the country. 

OCTOBER 30, 2026ByDAN PERRY
Ra'am head Mansour Abbas stands alongside fellow party member Yoav Segalovitz in the northern Israeli city of Sakhnin, on Israel’s general election night, October 27, 2026

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

What matters is who can assemble 61 seats and turn them into a functioning coalition. Neither side can do that right now, but Netanyahu appears to be in the stronger position.

OCTOBER 30, 2026ByYAAKOV KATZ
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at Likud headquarters following the release of exit polls.

My Word: Negative political thinking - opinion

Israel’s fragmented political landscape raises questions about coalition stability, voter trust, and whether politicians can put national interests ahead of personal rivalries.

OCTOBER 30, 2026ByLIAT COLLINS
Prime Minister and Likud party chairman Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to the media after casting his ballot in Israel’s general elections at a polling station in Jerusalem, October 27, 2026

Netanyahu meets Ben-Gvir, Smotrich as opposition leaders hold coalition talks

Netanyahu met Ben-Gvir and Smotrich as opposition leaders held separate talks. Eisenkot accused Likud of undermining the vote, while Lapid urged patience.

OCTOBER 30, 2026ByANNA BARSKY, NAHUM PERRY
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich attending the Knesset, February 7, 2024; illustrative.

Editor's Notes: Any unity deal must start with the leaders who are here, including Netanyahu

Many Likud voters chose Netanyahu personally, so any serious unity proposal has to start with him rather than wish him away.

OCTOBER 30, 2026ByZVIKA KLEIN
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, leader of the Likud party, reacts as he tours Mahane Yehuda market, ahead of Israel's national election, in Jerusalem, October 23, 2026

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

Netanyahu meets Ben-Gvir, Smotrich as opposition leaders hold coalition talks • Shas's Deri rules out joining opposition bloc government without Likud as UTJ weighs talks

OCTOBER 30, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
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 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.

OCTOBER 29, 2026ByJONAH DAVIDOV
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.