Israeli Parties Map: Alliances and Divides Ahead of 2026 Elections

As the lists for the 26th Knesset have been finalized, Israeli political parties are solidifying their potential alliances and outlining their red lines for the upcoming 2026 elections. The central question remains whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can secure a 61-seat majority, with his Likud party aiming to lead a right-wing bloc including Shas, United Torah Judaism, Otzma Yehudit, the Religious Zionism-Identity party, and Ofir Winter's "Am Israel." However, the conscription law, the role of Arab parties, and internal opposition dynamics could significantly shape the potential government.

New political entities are also emerging. Gadi Eisenkot leads a new party, emphasizing Israel as a Jewish and democratic state and requiring military or national service, a stance that creates a significant hurdle for the ultra-Orthodox parties. Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid are running together on a joint list, with Bennett identifying Eisenkot as a potential coalition partner but expressing a tougher stance on ultra-Orthodox conscription than Eisenkot himself.

Ultra-Orthodox parties Shas and United Torah Judaism, historically Netanyahu's staunchest allies, are facing internal pressure over the conscription law, potentially opening doors to other coalition possibilities. Shas, led by Aryeh Deri, prioritizes the status of yeshiva students and religious education funding, while United Torah Judaism, led by Yaakov Asher and Yitzchak Goldknopf, is also focused on these issues and has shown some openness to dialogue with Eisenkot, despite past tensions with Netanyahu.

On the right, Itamar Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit and the joint Religious Zionism-Identity list led by Bezalel Smotrich and Moshe Feiglin are firmly aligned with Netanyahu's bloc, focusing on security, judicial reform, and settlement policies. Ofir Winter's "Am Israel" also pledges support for Netanyahu.

Meanwhile, Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu maintains a right-wing security stance but is in deep opposition to Netanyahu, ruling out any coalition with him and opposing ultra-Orthodox draft exemptions. Benny Gantz's National Unity party faces challenges in passing the electoral threshold, while the left-wing Meretz, led by Yair Golan, is open to including Arab parties like Ra'am in a potential alternative government. Ra'am, led by Mansour Abbas, has previously shown willingness to join Zionist coalitions, potentially playing a kingmaker role if the election results are close, though other anti-Netanyahu parties like Yisrael Beiteinu have expressed reservations about such arrangements.