Israel Election 2026 live updates: Eisenkot, Netanyahu race to build government

According to live updates and ongoing reporting from outlets including ynetnews, i24NEWS, Haaretz, and The Times of Israel, political developments are unfolding rapidly surrounding government formation efforts. The second round of consultations has officially opened at the President's Residence, bringing party leaders and representatives into high-stakes discussions with President Herzog. Coverage highlights a tense electoral and parliamentary landscape where traditional alliances are currently being tested and potentially rewritten. Specific reports from The Times of Israel and Haaretz emphasize that United Torah Judaism has declined to endorse a candidate for prime minister during the consultations with President Herzog.

Haaretz notes this marks a potential historic shift, as a Haredi party may refuse to back Netanyahu for prime minister for the first time since the year 2009. Meanwhile, i24NEWS reports that Shas and UTJ are actively weighing their coalition options while Eisenkot seeks a viable path to securing a parliamentary majority. The context surrounding these developments involves complex legislative and religious dynamics within Israeli politics. Ynetnews details statements from Goldknopf asserting that Torah scholars are being persecuted, pointing to underlying tensions regarding religious authority, state funding, and military exemptions that heavily influence Haredi political positioning.

These grievances directly inform the calculus of parties like Shas and UTJ as they decide whether to support returning leaders or withhold their endorsements. Coverage does not yet specify the final outcome of these government formation efforts or whether Eisenkot or Netanyahu will successfully assemble a governing coalition. Observers must watch subsequent rounds of consultations at the President's Residence and further announcements from Shas and UTJ to determine which candidate secures enough parliamentary backing to form the next administration.