The 26th Knesset election: where it stands
On 27 October 2026, Israelis elected all 120 members of the Knesset. Here is the picture, step by step: who won how much, what it means for the next government, and what happens now.
Running updates
What has happened since the polls closed
120 seats, three camps
Explainer
Minority government: possible without 61?
Yes. The law does not require 61 supporters to form a government. It requires more supporters than opponents. A government backed by fewer than 61 Knesset members is called a minority government.
The confidence vote counts only those who vote. Abstainers are not counted, so abstentions lower the bar.
That is the only condition: supporters must outnumber opponents. This is set by Basic Law: The Government.
Bringing down a government in a no-confidence vote takes 61 members, and the motion must present an alternative government.
Try it: how does each bloc vote on confidence?
Using this election's blocs. Set each bloc to support, abstain or oppose a government presented by the Eisenkot bloc.
An illustration of the voting rule only, using the bloc counts. It is not a forecast and says nothing about parties' intentions.
Coalition parties hold 61 seats or more.
The coalition has fewer than 61, and parties outside the government vote for it or abstain on key votes.
The coalition has fewer than 61, but opponents are even fewer because some parties abstain.
Minority governments in Israel
Almost every minority government formed mid-term, when a party left the coalition. The dashed line is 61.
- Shamir government
The only government in Israel's history to fall in a no-confidence vote, in what became known as the "dirty trick".
- Rabin's second government
After Shas left in September 1993 it rested on 56 members, and on 59 once Yi'ud joined in January 1995. Hadash and Mada supported it from outside.
- Peres government
Formed after Rabin's assassination with 59 members from Labor, Meretz and Yi'ud, and outside support from Hadash and Mada.
- Barak government
It began with 75 supporters. By July 2000, after departures around the Camp David summit, it rested on about 30. Barak resigned in December 2000.
- Sharon governments
They became minority governments after Shinui left, supported from outside by left-wing factions until Labor joined.
- Netanyahu government
In July 2025, after UTJ left and Shas's ministers resigned, reports described the coalition as resting on a minority in the Knesset.
Israel Democracy Institute: research shows minority governments are less stable than majority coalitions. Sources: Israel Democracy Institute ↗ · Minority governments: rule or exception (Hebrew) ↗ · Hebrew Wikipedia · Minority government ↗ · Basic Law: The Government ↗ · Euronews, July 2025 ↗
The leaders of the 11 lists entering the Knesset
Ordered by seats in the count of regular ballots. Each dot is a seat.
Who passed the threshold
Try it yourself: who reaches 61?
Click lists to add them to a coalition. The calculator only counts seats. It says nothing about whether parties are willing to sit together.
2022 vs 2026
More people voted
The road to the ballot box
The key question: who will sit with whom?
What happens now
Under Basic Law: The Government, simplified. Until a new government is formed, the current one stays on as a caretaker government.
Sources for the election section
Photos: Wikimedia Commons, under free licenses.