Jerusalem, 1 November, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided to abandon, for now, efforts to form a new government and instead pursue fresh elections, sources familiar with the matter told Israeli media on Sunday. The decision reportedly rules out both a national unity government and a coalition with Avigdor Liberman and Naftali Bennett.
The sources said Netanyahu concluded that Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot would not join a unity government. They added that Eisenkot has been publicizing every attempt by Netanyahu’s associates or independent intermediaries to approach him, making further contacts appear futile.
Netanyahu now plans to campaign against any government dependent on Arab parties, arguing that such a coalition lacks legitimacy. The sources also suggested that security developments, including a possible war and the Shin Bet’s foreign-interference investigation, could reshape public opinion, although Netanyahu cannot control their timing or outcome.
