Why are coalition governments common in Israel?

Coalition governments are common in Israel primarily because the country utilizes a system of proportional representation for national elections. Under this system, political parties are awarded seats in the Knesset in direct proportion to the number of votes they receive.1

Because the political landscape is highly fragmented and diverse—featuring numerous secular, religious, and ethnic parties—no single party has ever been able to secure an absolute majority of the 120 seats required to govern alone. Consequently, cabinets are invariably formed through coalition governments, which require the leader of the governing coalition to negotiate and build alliances with other parties to reach the necessary majority.123

This process is further complicated by the fact that ideological differences, such as the rejection of Zionism by some factions, often create significant barriers to forming stable governing blocs. As a result, coalition building remains a central and often volatile feature of Israeli political life.451