With most votes counted after Israel's October 27 election, Netanyahu's right-wing bloc held 53 seats and Eisenkot's opposition 48, leaving both short of a majority while Arab parties reached a record 19 seats.
Partial results from Israel's October 27 national election showed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing bloc leading with 53 seats while rival Gadi Eisenkot's opposition bloc held 48, both short of the 61 needed for a majority in the 120-seat Knesset.
Arab-led parties were projected to win a record 19 seats. With roughly 86-90 percent of ballots counted, Likud remained the largest single party. Netanyahu stays on as caretaker prime minister while coalition talks begin.
The vote was the first since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack and subsequent wars. Turnout reached multi-decade highs. Eisenkot's camp had been expected to run closer, but partial counts favored Netanyahu's Jewish voters more strongly than exit polls suggested.
Reuters, BBC and Times of Israel reporting, based on Central Elections Committee tallies and broadcaster projections, confirm the seat ranges for the two main blocs and the Arab parties' gains. Final official results are still pending the remaining absentee and special ballots, and exact final seat numbers could shift slightly.
Coalition formation will test whether any Jewish parties break their pledges not to rely on Arab lists. Netanyahu retains the advantage of incumbency during negotiations. The next milestone is the official results expected later this week, after which the president will assign the task of forming a government.
People Sentiments Public Mood: Neutral
- Netanyahu: claims path to continue
- Eisenkot: public voted for change
- Analysts: Netanyahu survived by not losing