Israel’s Central Elections Committee released the final seat allocation early Friday, leaving no political bloc with enough seats to govern alone after this week’s parliamentary election. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud-led alliance won 53 of the Knesset’s 120 seats, while the bloc led by opposition figure Gadi Eisenkot secured 48. Arab-led parties together won 19 seats, putting their support at the centre of coalition talks.
A majority requires 61 seats. Likud won 27 seats, while Eisenkot’s Yashar! party took 21. The result leaves Netanyahu in a caretaker role as parties explore possible governing arrangements. An opposition-led government would need support from Arab-led parties or a broader political agreement.
Turnout reached 77.9%, according to the final count. The results are due to be formally submitted to President Isaac Herzog on November 4 following checks, and the new Knesset is scheduled to be sworn in on November 10.
Netanyahu’s party alleged election fraud but has not presented public evidence of systematic wrongdoing. Election officials said there was no basis for claims that the vote’s integrity had been systematically compromised, while complaints are being examined through established procedures.
Photo: Levi Meir Clancy / Unsplash
