In brief
Israel's latest parliamentary election produced a deadlock, with the opposition securing 67 seats and Netanyahu’s bloc 53, leaving both sides short of the needed 61 seats for a majority. Arab parties now hold the balance of power, while Netanyahu has accused the Arab vote of fraud, a claim rejected by Arab leaders and election officials. The final results will be certified on Nov. 4, and until then, coalition negotiations and potential new elections loom.
On Oct. 29, after a near‑complete vote count, Israel’s opposition parties secured 67 of the 120 seats, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right‑wing bloc won 53, leaving both sides short of the 61 seats needed for a majority.
The opposition’s tally includes 48 seats won by parties linked to former military chief Gadi Eisenkot and 19 seats awarded to Arab parties that represent the country’s 21% Arab minority.
Netanyahu’s coalition holds 53 seats. Both blocs therefore need the support of Arab parties to reach an outright majority and form a government.
The Central Elections Committee said the count covers about 97% of ballots and is expected to be finished by the end of the day, with the final results to be certified on Nov. 4 after a review.
In a rally after the announcement, Netanyahu alleged that voter fraud had helped Arab parties gain their record share of seats, a claim that Arab leaders rejected and that election officials say was not supported by evidence.
Ahmad Tibi, a leader of the Arab Joint List, said the premier was running a “toxic campaign” to undermine the Arab vote.
“This entire campaign is directed against Eisenkot, to prevent him, intimidate and scare him off forming a government that relies on external support from the Joint List or Ra‘m,” Tibi told Reuters.
Analysts say the deadlock will trigger weeks of negotiations, and if no coalition is formed, the Knesset may call new elections after 90 days.
The political stalemate affects Israel’s domestic and foreign policy decisions and could influence the country’s stance on ongoing regional conflicts.
