Israeli exit polls have revived the possibility of forming a unity government bringing together Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his rival, Gadi Eisenkot, as neither political bloc appears to have secured a clear majority. The prospect faces several obstacles, most notably opposition pledges to remove Netanyahu from power.
Although no official negotiations between the two men have been announced, reports have pointed to discussions about a possible coalition that could include a rotating premiership, offering a potential way out of the political deadlock that could otherwise lead to another election.
These possibilities remain contingent on the final vote count, after exit polls indicated that neither bloc had reached the 61-seat majority required in the 120-member Knesset.
Following the release of the exit polls, Eisenkot called on Netanyahu to leave political life, arguing that voters had rejected his continued leadership of the government. Eisenkot had previously pledged not to join a government led by his rival, even if they agreed to rotate the premiership.
Netanyahu, meanwhile, called for the formation of a right-wing government, warning against a coalition that relies on Arab parties, whose seats could give them significant influence in negotiations over the formation of a government.
This divergence places the idea of unity in an obvious contradiction: Eisenkot is seeking to end Netanyahu’s rule, while a partnership between them could allow the prime minister to remain in power under arrangements different from those of his current coalition.
The Washington Post reported in an article published before the election that individuals close to U.S. President Donald Trump had discussed with Israeli figures the possibility of forming a unity government including Netanyahu and Eisenkot.
Israeli media reports have also described support within Trump’s circle for a broader coalition that would rely less on hardline right-wing figures, including consideration of a rotating premiership.
However, discussion of this idea does not mean that the U.S. administration has adopted an official plan, nor does it confirm that either side has agreed to it. Excluding Netanyahu’s current allies could also introduce new disputes into negotiations that would require compromises over leadership, ministerial portfolios, and policy.
The experience of Benny Gantz in 2020 remains a prominent example in calculations surrounding any new power-sharing agreement. After repeated election rounds, Gantz joined a unity government with Netanyahu under an agreement that was supposed to allow him to become prime minister at a later stage.
However, the government collapsed before Gantz could assume the position, amid disputes over the budget and implementation of the agreement. This makes ensuring compliance with any understandings one of the main challenges facing a potential partnership.
Accordingly, any agreement between Netanyahu and Eisenkot would require a clearly defined mechanism for transferring the premiership, guarantees that the agreement would be implemented, and an allocation of powers, in addition to resolving disagreements over the participation of hardline right-wing parties.
Regarding the role of Israeli President Isaac Herzog, reports have raised the possibility that he could intervene to encourage the formation of a unity government. However, his office denied discussing future coalition arrangements with candidates or Knesset members before the election.
Once the official results are announced, the president consults with the parties and then tasks a Knesset member with attempting to form a government. The person chosen does not have to be the leader of the largest party; the decision depends on the president’s assessment of the candidate’s chances of securing parliamentary confidence.
Nevertheless, the president has no authority to force parties to join a coalition or override their political objections to a partnership.
If the final results confirm that neither bloc has a majority, the options will remain open: a unity government requiring significant concessions, a differently composed coalition that may rely on support from outside the government, or failed negotiations followed by a return to the ballot box.
Relying on support from Arab parties faces reservations within the opposition, while the continuation of the political impasse could allow Netanyahu to remain at the head of a caretaker government during the transitional period.
Until the results and the parties’ positions during consultations become clear, a partnership between the two rivals remains a possibility under consideration, rather than an agreement that can be determined by the numbers alone.
United News Network – UNN Arabic
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Author: Counselor Faisal Al-Mutairi.
Publication Date: October 28, 2026.
Updated: October 2026.
