Israel's opposition must form 65-seat majority coalition with Arab parties, Democrats' Golan says

Live updates

1. 3h ago

   Israel Opposition Urged to Form 65-Seat Coalition

   Israel Democrats leader Golan insists that opposition factions must build a 65-seat majority coalition that includes Arab parties to oust Prime Minister Netanyahu. Amid ongoing political gridlock and ongoing ballot counts in the 2026 election, Golan argues that dismissing Arab parties is undemocratic. While polls show majority support among opposition voters for an Eisenkot-led government featuring the Arab party Ra'am, coalition talks face hurdles, with Ra'am leader Abbas expressing pessimism regarding minority government prospects.

   Why it matters

   Israel faces another political stalemate following recent elections, with the Central Elections Committee currently counting absentee ballots while seat totals remain steady. Traditional political alignments have struggled to secure stable governing majorities, elevating the strategic importance of Arab political factions in breaking legislative deadlocks. Previous attempts to bridge divides between Jewish opposition parties and Arab lawmakers have encountered intense resistance from right-wing critics.

   What is confirmed

   • Democrats leader Golan stated that Israel's opposition must form a 65-seat majority coalition incorporating Arab parties.
   • Golan described discounting Arab parties out of hand as undemocratic.
   • Elections Committee officials are actively counting absentee ballots as 2026 election seat results remain steady.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Ra'am leader Abbas is reportedly pessimistic regarding the potential to establish a minority government.
   • Mansour Abbas thanked Ben-Gvir and Smotrich for Ra'am's election gains.

   What to watch next

   • Final certification of the 2026 election seat results by the Elections Committee
   • Official coalition-building negotiations between opposition leaders and Arab party representatives
   Sources used for this update (30)

   1. www.jpost.com — The Jerusalem Post - All News from the Middle East, Israel, and...
   2. nypost.com — New York Post – Breaking News, Top Headlines, Photos & Videos
   3. www.nbcnews.com — Tracking the 2026 early vote
   4. The Jerusalem Post — Israel's opposition must form 65-seat majority coalition with Arab parties, Democrats' Golan says
   5. BBC — How could Israel break political deadlock? Here are four scenarios
   6. The Times of Israel — As election portents gridlock, Democrats’ Golan urges coalition with Arabs to oust Netanyahu
   7. Haaretz — Arab Party Leader: Netanyahu Can Be Unseated if Oppostion 'Brave Enough'
   8. i24NEWS — Mansour Abbas Thanks Ben-Gvir, Smotrich For Ra'am's Election Gains
   9. The Times of Israel — In mixed city of Acre, Jewish-Arab coexistence shapes hopes for anti-Netanyahu coalition
   10. Yahoo — Israel's Arab parties signal willingness to help oust Netanyahu
   11. NPR — Ex-Israeli diplomat calls opposition's refusal to work with Arab parties 'reckless'
   12. Financial Times — Israel’s Arabs seek a slice of power
   confidence 90%