Israel’s political system operates under a parliamentary structure where citizens vote for political parties rather than individual candidates. The number of seats a party secures in the Knesset, the country's 120-seat parliament, is determined by the percentage of the national vote it receives, provided it meets the minimum electoral threshold. Once the results are finalized, the President of Israel consults with party leaders to determine who has the best chance of forming a governing coalition.

Because Israel’s system is based on proportional representation, it is rare for a single party to win an outright majority. Consequently, the formation of a government typically requires complex negotiations between multiple parties to reach a coalition agreement that commands at least 61 seats. This process often involves significant compromise, as smaller parties can exert considerable influence over the policy agenda of the larger governing partners.

Analysts note that the frequency of elections in recent years has been driven by the difficulty of maintaining these coalition agreements. When a coalition collapses, the Knesset is often dissolved, triggering a new round of national elections. The political landscape remains highly fragmented, with voters choosing between a wide array of parties representing diverse ideological, religious, and socio-economic interests. Understanding these dynamics is essential for interpreting the outcomes of Israeli elections and the subsequent stability of the resulting government.