Vivian Bercovici: Why Netanyahu could be about to lose power, but get it right back - National Post

Copy URL Facebook Linked In X (Twitter) Loading account options Sign In Manage Account Close account menu Manage Account Sign Out Loading subscription options Subscribefor $0.50/week (COMBO) This combination of pictures created on October 28, 2026, shows Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) speaking to the media after voting in Jerusalem on October 27, 2026, and Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot addressing his supporters at the election night rally in Tel Aviv early on October 28, 2026. The camp of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was ahead of his rival's opposition bloc but still short of a majority on October 28 after 50 percent of votes were counted in Israel's pivotal general election. (Photo by Jewel SAMAD and Maya LEVIN / various sources / AFP via Getty Images) (JEWEL SAMAD, MAYA LEVIN / POOL/AFP/AFP via Getty Images) By Vivian Bercovici November 6, 2026 at 6:14 a.m. On Wednesday and Thursday this week, Israeli President Isaac Herzog received delegates representing the parties elected to the Knesset on October 27.

Party representatives were expected to advise Herzog who they support to become prime minister and negotiate a governing coalition. Some — like the United Torah Judaism ultra-orthodox party — have said publicly that they will neither support Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor Yashar leader Gadi Eisenkot, the two possibilities.

For the last four years the ultra-orthodox were key members of the Netanyahu coalition, which is often referred to as the “right wing bloc.” One of many ironies in this sham union is that there is nothing remotely right wing about the ultra-orthodox. They openly state that their fundamental and overriding reason for supporting Netanyahu was that he promised to pass a law exempting all ultra-orthodox men from military service. He did not deliver, and they are enraged. Their leadership says Netanyahu betrayed them.

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