Israel's parliamentary election ended without a clear winner, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing bloc won 53 seats and opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot's alliance 48, both falling short of the 61 needed for a majority. Arab-led parties achieved a record 19 seats, placing them in a potential kingmaker role as coalition negotiations begin.
The final count, released by the Central Election Committee, showed that neither of the two main blocs secured a majority. Netanyahu's Likud-led coalition includes far-right and religious parties, while Eisenkot's Yashar-led opposition bloc is united by its goal of ousting Netanyahu.
The Arab parties, the Joint List and Ra'am, secured 11 and 8 seats respectively, their highest combined total. Netanyahu has ruled out working with them, calling it "treasonous." However, some opposition parties may be open to the idea. Yair Golan, leader of the Democrats, said he had met with Eisenkot, former Prime Minister Yair Lapid, and Ra'am head Mansour Abbas, and posted that "the rescue of Israel is at stake."
Netanyahu's Likud party alleged large-scale foreign involvement in the elections, led by Qatar and Turkey, and interference and bribery in favor of Arab parties. Israeli police and the Central Election Committee said they found no evidence. Acting CEC director general Dean Livne wrote that "the Knesset elections were conducted lawfully" with no basis for systematic violation claims. Qatar denied involvement, calling the accusations a "disinformation campaign." Abbas welcomed an investigation, saying his party had nothing to do with the alleged interference.
Internationally, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk expressed hope that a new government would "change course massively" and respect international law. German deputy speaker Omid Nouripour said the high turnout showed trust in democracy, and suggested Netanyahu's anti-Arab campaign backfired.
President Isaac Herzog, who will choose someone to try to form a government, urged all parties to come with an open mind and said efforts should be made to avoid another election. Between April 2019 and November 2022, Israel had five general elections amid similar difficulties forming or maintaining coalition governments. Official final results are due by November 4.
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Seats won by political blocs in the Israeli election, according to the Central Election Committee
seats
At least 61 seats are needed for a majority. Source: Israel Central Election Committee
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Analysis
Why This Matters
Israel faces political deadlock, potentially leading to difficult coalition talks or another election.
The unprecedented seat count for Arab parties could shift Israeli political dynamics if they are included in a government for the first time.
International observers are watching for changes in policy on Gaza, the West Bank, and relations with Arab states.
Background
Israel has held five general elections since April 2019 due to chronic coalition instability. The latest vote took place amid ongoing military operations in Gaza and increased international legal scrutiny over the conduct of the war. The campaign was dominated by divisions over the conflict, the role of Arab citizens, and allegations of foreign interference.
Key Perspectives
Netanyahu: accused Arab parties of election fraud and foreign interference, calling cooperation with them “treasonous.”
Eisenkot: warned against exploiting unverified allegations to undermine the results.
Arab parties (Joint List, Ra’am): called for a genuine Jewish-Arab partnership and denied involvement in interference; Alex Sami Abu Shehadeh called the fraud claims a new phase of “incitement.”
Yair Golan (Democrats): advocated for including Arab-led parties in a coalition, saying “the rescue of Israel is at stake.”
Central Election Committee: affirmed that elections were lawful and found no basis for systematic fraud.
Qatar: denied allegations of interference, calling them a “disinformation campaign.”
UN High Commissioner Volker Türk: urged the next government to “change course massively” and respect international law.
German deputy speaker Omid Nouripour: praised high turnout as a testament to democracy and suggested Netanyahu’s anti-Arab strategy backfired.
President Isaac Herzog: urged all parties to “come with an open mind” in coalition talks to avoid another election.
What to Watch
Whether Arab parties are included in a coalition for the first time, breaking a long-standing taboo.
The outcome of Netanyahu’s fraud allegations and any formal investigation.
President Herzog’s consultations and which candidate he tasks with forming a government.
The potential for another election if no coalition is formed within 42 days.
11 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 10 supported.
Show each claim
SupportedNetanyahu described working with the Arab parties as “treasonous.”DW English: “Netanyahu said on Wednesday doing so would be "treasonous."”
SupportedYair Golan said “the rescue of Israel is at stake.”DW English: “He has called for discussions with the Arab-led parties, saying after his meeting with Eisenkot that "the rescue of Israel is at stake," in a post on X.”
SupportedActing CEC director general Dean Livne wrote that “the Knesset elections were conducted lawfully.”DW English: “"The Knesset elections were conducted lawfully. The integrity of the elections at polling stations was rigorously safeguarded, and to the best of our knowledge, there is no basis for allegations of systematic violations of election integrity,"”
SupportedQatar called the accusations a “disinformation campaign.”DW English: “Qatar’s foreign minister spokesman Majed Al Ansari spoke of "accusations made by certain Israeli politicians" and said they had "launched yet another disinformation campaign aiming to drag Qatar into Israeli political disputes."”
SupportedVolker Türk hoped a new government would “change course massively.”DW English: “The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, told reporters in New York that he hopes a new Israeli government will "change course massively" and respect international law.”
SupportedThe election produced no clear winner, with neither Netanyahu nor Eisenkot’s bloc winning a majority.DW English: “Israel's election has produced no clear winner, leaving both Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot short of a path to power.”
SupportedNetanyahu’s bloc won 53 seats and Eisenkot’s bloc won 48, both short of the 61 needed for a majority.DW English: “The final vote count showed Netanyahu's Likud-led bloc finished with 53 seats The anti-Netanyahu bloc, led by Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot, claimed 48 seats At least 61 seats are needed to form a secure majority”
SupportedThe Arab-led parties won a record combined 19 seats and could be kingmakers.DW English: “the two Arab-Israeli lists, which together secured an unprecedented 19 seats, may form part of a future government or at least provide some form of support.”
Partly supportedIsraeli police and the CEC said they found no evidence of election interference.DW English: “Israeli police said there is no evidence to support Likud's claims, neither "investigative” nor "informative.” A high-ranking Central Election Committee official, too, denied the allegations.”
SupportedLikud alleged large-scale foreign involvement led by Qatar and Turkey, and interference and bribery in favor of Arab parties.DW English: “Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 's Likud claims large-scale foreign involvement in the elections led by Qatar and Turkey, with Israel’s authorities so far refuting the claims.”
SupportedOfficial final election results are due by November 4.DW English: “although the official finalized results will not be issued until November 4.”