An election billboard features Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, leader of the Likud party, and U.S. President Donald Trump in Ramat Gan, Israel, on Tuesday. | REUTERS

Oct 29, 2026

WASHINGTON – With Israel’s election yielding no clear winner, U.S. President Donald Trump could face prolonged uncertainty over who will lead Washington’s closest Middle East ally as he confronts challenges across the region, from Iran to Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc secured the most seats in Israel’s parliament but still lost its parliamentary majority on Tuesday despite Trump having endorsed him against a rival alliance of parties led by hawkish former military chief Gadi Eisenkot.

While Netanyahu seemed in a stronger position, neither side was projected to have an outright path to form a new government after Israel’s first election since the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023, and the ensuing wars in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran.

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Source: The Japan Times · Matt Spetalnick

At a glance

Topic
Politics
Country
🇯🇵 JP
Publisher language
EN
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