Israel’s election has resulted in a much-feared political deadlock, although President Isaac Herzog may offer Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a proposal that could restore government stability and positive public sentiment.

In the hours following the pivotal October 27 vote, it was already clear that neither Netanyahu’s coalition bloc nor the opposition bloc, led by former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, had enough mandates to form a government in the 120-seat parliament. With 50.1% of the vote counted, the coalition bloc stood at 56 seats combined, while the Eisenkot-led opposition had 49 seats. The remaining 15 seats went to the non-aligned Arab-led parties of Ra’am and the Joint List.

On the morning of October 29, with over 91% of the vote counted, the deadlock remained. While Netanyahu’s Likud party remained the frontrunner with 26 seats compared to Eisenkot’s 21, his coalition bloc slipped to 53 mandates, while the opposition bloc dropped to 48 seats. The weakening of both blocs was driven by a spike in voter turnout among the Arab voting population, with Ra’am and the Joint List rising to a combined 19 seats.

This political friction comes as little surprise given the strong yet divergent views expressed by Israeli voters to IntelliNews on election day.

While the Arab-led parties could tip either bloc over the victory line, both Netanyahu and Eisenkot have expressed hesitation toward working with them. Eisenkot has listed recognition of Hamas as a terrorist organisation as a requirement for any coalition partner, yet Ra’am leader Mansour Abbas refused to do so when posed the question during an interview with i24NEWS on October 28. Furthermore, Eisenkot’s right-wing allies, Naftali Bennett and Avigdor Lieberman, have explicitly refused to work with the Arab parties.

For that reason, the only possible outcome that doesn’t require Israelis to return to the polls for another round of elections seems to be if parties from the Netanyahu bloc and Eisenkot bloc form a unity government; a reality that President Herzog appears to have come to terms with.

Israel’s Channel 14 reported that Herzog is working on a deal whereby Netanyahu would be given the mandate to form a government, provided that he serves as prime minister for only two years before stepping down. According to Walla!, opposition sources have confirmed that the agreement would see Eisenkot succeed Netanyahu as prime minister for the remaining two years of the four-year term.

In exchange for Netanyahu’s cooperation, Herzog would agree to grant him a full presidential pardon from his corruption trial, although this would mean the end of the current prime minister’s political career. In December 2024, Netanyahu made history as the first sitting Israeli prime minister to testify in his own corruption trial.

The trial involved three cases. Case 1000 involved Netanyahu’s receipt of cigars and champagne from billionaire Arnon Milchan between 2011 and 2016 and additional gifts from Australian billionaire James Packer. Prosecutors claim Netanyahu sought to assist Milchan with visa and tax-related matters in return.

Case 2000 centres on alleged discussions between Netanyahu and Yediot Aharonot newspaper publisher Arnon Mozes in 2014, where favourable coverage was allegedly discussed in exchange for potential legislation to weaken rival newspaper Israel Hayom.

The most complex allegation, Case 4000, involves telecommunications mogul Shaul Elovitch and his wife Iris, who allegedly granted favours to Netanyahu and his family between 2012 and 2017, particularly through manipulated coverage on their Walla! news website.

While the end of his prolonged legal proceedings will no doubt be of benefit to Netanyahu, the prospect of leading Israel for two more years could also be viewed as appealing.

One of his key campaign issues has been the war with Iran, with the incumbent prime minister pointing to Israel’s military progress to convince the public to vote for him so that he can finish the campaign.

Another two years could assist Netanyahu in advancing his war objectives, while also satisfying a large portion of the Israeli electorate that is seeking a change in leadership, as the current prime minister’s term will have a clear expiration date.

Herzog’s proposal could also be warmly received by the United States. A key ally of Israel, US President Donald Trump appears to share a close relationship with the incumbent prime minister, with Trump publicly endorsing Netanyahu days ahead of the Israeli election.

Perhaps most importantly, a Netanyahu-Eisenkot unity government could provide relief to a large segment of Israeli voters. A poll conducted by Maariv, published on October 23, found that 60% of respondents would prefer this kind of arrangement should neither bloc obtain a majority.