In brief
Israel’s Central Elections Committee declared the opposition the largest bloc in the 120‑seat Knesset, securing 67 seats. Former military chief Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party contributed 48 of those seats, and Arab parties captured 19. President Isaac Herzog will now begin talks to form a new government amid calls for compromise.
Israel’s Central Elections Committee announced that opposition parties won 67 of the 120 seats in the Knesset, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling bloc gained 53, on Nov. 4 in Jerusalem, according to Xinhua.
The opposition’s majority came from 48 seats won by parties linked to former military chief Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party and from 19 seats taken by Arab‑led parties, including the Joint List coalition and the Muslim Ra’am party.
Neither Netanyahu nor Eisenkot can command a majority alone, as 61 seats are required to form a government. The results were presented to President Isaac Herzog by Central Elections Committee Chairman Noam Sohlberg, who said the report was ready despite an ongoing investigation into alleged foreign interference.
"In the current reality, in which there is no clear winner after the election, I ask for originality and creativity, courage and goodwill," Herzog said as he urged parties to find a compromise to avoid another election and build a stable government.
Sohlberg added, "In recent days, voices have emerged seeking to cast doubt on the election results and challenge their validity. This is a real danger," stressing that the election had been conducted properly and the results reflected voters’ will.
Under Israeli law, Herzog will begin consultations with political parties that night to decide which lawmaker will form the next government.
