Netanyahu Short of Knesset Majority After 50 Percent of Votes Counted
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc secured 55 seats after more than half the votes were counted in Israel’s general election on Wednesday, falling short of the 61 seats needed for a parliamentary majority. The preliminary outcome leaves foreign diplomats, international financial markets, and political analysts bracing for prolonged coalition deadlock or potential secondary elections.
Nearly 78 Percent Voter Turnout Leaves Parliament Split and Dependent on Bargaining
With 51.8 percent of ballots counted, opposition candidate Gadi Eisenkot’s bloc captured 49 seats while Arab Israeli parties secured 16 seats, creating a divided 120-seat parliament. High participation among Arab Israeli voters boosted their delegation’s seat total, making those lawmakers potential legislative power brokers even though Eisenkot ruled out formal governing coalitions with Arab parties during his campaign. Both Netanyahu and the 66-year-old Eisenkot vowed to form the next government following the vote. A failure to build a majority coalition leaves the 77-year-old Netanyahu in office as caretaker prime minister while party leaders negotiate ahead of final vote tallies.
The election followed years of escalating regional conflict and intensive military operations across Gaza launched after the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas.
