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

A coalition government is formed when multiple parties agree to govern together because no single party controls a majority. The partners usually share enough seats to support a prime minister, pass legislation, and keep the government functioning. In Israel, that majority is 61 of the Knesset's 120 seats.

Tuesday's election produced no clear majority for either political bloc. That forced parties to negotiate rather than immediately establish a government. Leaders seeking to replace Benjamin Netanyahu met in several combinations, including discussions with Ra'am. Netanyahu's allies also met to preserve their right-wing government and block an alternative.

The negotiations matter because the election result did not settle who can govern. Yair Lapid said Netanyahu could not form a government based on the results, but also acknowledged that an alternative would be difficult. Until agreements are reached, the next government's composition remains uncertain, and parties are preparing positions and possible legislation.

The Knesset has 120 seats, so 61 is the smallest number that creates a majority. A bloc holding at least 61 seats can normally support a prime minister and help pass legislation. That number therefore turns election results into governing power. Fewer than 61 seats means parties must find partners or another form of support.

The election did not give either political bloc a clear majority. Lapid highlighted this problem while arguing that Netanyahu could not form a government from the results. At the same time, Lapid said an alternative government was also difficult and not guaranteed. This is why meetings with smaller parties became important.

The 61-seat threshold now drives every negotiation. Netanyahu met Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich to coordinate efforts to preserve the right-wing government. Opponents held meetings involving Ra'am and several other leaders. The final governing arrangement depends on which parties can assemble dependable support around one bloc.

Within Netanyahu's bloc, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Itamar Ben-Gvir, chairman of Otzma Yehudit and National Security Minister, and Bezalel Smotrich, chairman of the Religious Zionist Party. Ben-Gvir said their discussion focused on preserving the right-wing government and preventing an alternative government supported by Ra'am.

The bloc seeking to replace Netanyahu held several meetings. Democrats chairman Yair Golan met Ra'am chairman Mansour Abbas, Gadi Eisenkot, and Yair Lapid separately. B'Yachad chairman Naftali Bennett met Eisenkot and Golan. These meetings indicate that opposition leaders are testing possible combinations rather than announcing a settled coalition.

No final government had emerged when these talks continued. Eisenkot accused Netanyahu and Likud of trying to undermine the election results, while Lapid urged patience and discretion. The key question is whether Netanyahu's partners can reach 61 seats, or whether his opponents can assemble a workable alternative with parties such as Ra'am.

Small parties can become decisive when larger blocs fall short of a majority. Their seats may determine which leader can reach 61 in the 120-seat Knesset. In return, they can seek policy commitments or influence over the future government's priorities. The article does not state how many seats Ra'am or B'Yachad hold, so their precise leverage cannot be measured here.

Ra'am chairman Mansour Abbas met Democrats chairman Yair Golan. Golan also met Gadi Eisenkot and Yair Lapid. Separately, B'Yachad chairman Naftali Bennett met Eisenkot and Golan. These meetings show the bloc seeking to replace Netanyahu was exploring combinations that could produce enough support.

Netanyahu's bloc was also organizing. Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich met Netanyahu about preserving the right-wing government. Since neither bloc had a clear majority, smaller parties could determine whether one side reaches 61, remains short, or must seek another arrangement.

Without at least 61 seats, no political bloc has a clear majority in the 120-seat Knesset. That does not automatically resolve who will govern. Parties must negotiate a coalition or another dependable arrangement. Until then, the election produces uncertainty rather than a settled governing mandate.

The article gives a direct example. Leaders trying to replace Netanyahu met in several combinations, including Ra'am. Netanyahu met Ben-Gvir and Smotrich to coordinate efforts to preserve his government. Lapid said forming an alternative would be complicated and offered no guarantee of success. He urged the public not to expect constant updates because the work was discreet.

The immediate effect is political uncertainty and delayed clarity about priorities. Eisenkot said his teams were preparing bills for when the Knesset convenes, including military recruitment and national service requirements, an inquiry into the October 7 massacre, and budget changes. Their progress depends on the next governing arrangement and its support.

The article does not list formal fallback options if coalition talks fail. Under established parliamentary practice, politicians may try to widen the coalition, form a minority government with outside support, or move toward another election. A caretaker arrangement may also continue while leaders seek a solution. These possibilities explain why failure to reach 61 does not instantly end the political process.

The current talks show why alternatives matter. Netanyahu met Ben-Gvir and Smotrich to preserve his right-wing government. Meanwhile, Golan, Eisenkot, Lapid, Bennett, and Ra'am's Abbas explored an opposing configuration. Lapid said Netanyahu had no way to form a government based on the results, but acknowledged that replacing him would also be complicated.

The immediate reality is unresolved bargaining, not a confirmed replacement or new election. Lapid asked the public for patience, comparing the negotiations to assembling a watch. Until one arrangement gains sufficient support, the next government's identity and legislative direction remain uncertain.

Under proportional representation, parties receive legislative seats broadly according to their share of the vote. This allows more parties to win representation than a winner-takes-all system usually does. It can make the Knesset more politically diverse, but it also makes a single-party majority less common. Governments therefore often depend on agreements among parties.

The election result illustrates the mechanism. Israel's Knesset has 120 seats, yet neither political bloc won the 61 seats needed for a clear majority. Parties such as Ra'am and B'Yachad therefore became relevant to negotiations, even though the article does not state their seat totals. Leaders met across several configurations to test whether a bloc could assemble enough support.

This system leaves bargaining central after election day. Netanyahu's allies sought to preserve their government, while opponents explored an alternative. Lapid described the process as prolonged and discreet. The immediate result is uncertainty, but the same negotiations can eventually produce a coalition reflecting several parties' demands.