Israel’s election results offer a historic opportunity for partnership - opinion

ByILAN GEAL-DORNOVEMBER 5, 2026 16:00

The election results present Israeli society with a new test, and alongside it, a rare opportunity. Israel is entering a new political reality, one that may shape our lives for years to come, in which, most likely, no single party will be able to command the electoral strength needed to lead the country on its own.

Whether or not we all chose this outcome, we are entering a new era: the era of partnership. The question now is whether we will view it as a political constraint or recognize it as a historic opportunity.

This is an unprecedented reality in its defining characteristics, one that requires us to think differently. Partnership is not merely a technical formula for forming a government or an arrangement for dividing power. It could become a fundamental condition for our ability to govern and build a healthy, stable society with a shared future.

We arrive at this moment with encouraging tailwinds. The high voter turnout and the distribution of votes reveal the strength of Israeli society as an engaged, caring, and diverse community. Millions of Israelis went to the polls to vote and influence the country's future.

Even after years of crises, tensions, and disagreements, the Israeli public has not relinquished its right to make its voice heard. This is an extraordinary expression of civic strength and a national asset that we must not squander or leave confined to election day.

But a political victory is not necessarily a social victory. It is possible to achieve an electoral triumph while deepening societal rifts, just as it is possible to reach political agreements without building trust between different segments of society. The real test of the day after, therefore, is not simply who will form the government, but what kind of reality we will succeed in building here.

This is precisely where the new reality meets Gesher's vision: "Turning divisions into shades of color." We must not erase differences, blur disagreements, or demand that everyone think alike. Instead, we must recognize that our different shades are an inseparable part of the Israeli mosaic.

What was once a social challenge has now become a practical necessity: to meet, listen, and cooperate, even with those whose views differ from our own. It is precisely within this constraint that enormous advantages lie.

Breaking down societal barriers

Our experience at Gesher has taught us that encounters, personal connections and joint endeavors can lower the temperature and break down barriers.

When we get to know the person behind the position, the disagreement does not necessarily disappear, but our approach to it changes. Partnership and familiarity do not necessarily lead to agreement, but they foster closeness and attentive listening, and can fundamentally change how people view those standing before them, along with their differing opinions.

The responsibility now rests with our elected officials to explore alliances that may once have seemed unlikely, and with Israeli society to preserve the momentum and energy of the remarkable wave of civic engagement and to drive social initiatives that will accompany this process.

Perhaps what begins as an act without the right intention may ultimately lead to the right purpose. A partnership born out of political necessity can become a courageous choice, leading Israeli society into a new era.

The era of partnership does not promise that disagreements will disappear. It offers us the opportunity to better understand the people and perspectives on the other side, and promises that we can learn to address our differences differently. If we succeed in turning this new reality into a social opportunity, it may become a lifeline for Israeli society.

Welcome to the era of partnership. It is now up to us to make it a reality.

The writer is the CEO of Gesher, an organization that has been working for more than 50 years to foster connections and strengthen ties between the different segments of Israeli society.

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