Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition won the most seats in Israel’s October 27 legislative elections but failed to secure the 61-seat majority required to form a government, according to the Central Election Committee (CEC). The coalition earned 53 of the 120 seats in the Knesset, leaving the country in a political deadlock as no single bloc reached the threshold for a majority, detikNews reported.
Voter turnout reached 77.9 percent, the highest in Israel’s history, with approximately 5.7 million votes counted. While Netanyahu’s Likud party remains the largest single faction with 27 seats, the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot of the Yashar Party secured 48 seats.
Right-Wing and Opposition Blocs Lack Governing Majority
The final results released by the CEC show a fragmented parliament where the right-wing and opposition blocs are separated by only five seats, but both remain short of a governing majority.
| Party/Bloc | Seats Won | Coalition Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| Likud | 27 | Netanyahu Bloc |
| Yashar | 21 | Eisenkot Bloc |
| B’Yachad | 12 | Eisenkot Bloc |
| Joint List | 11 | Arab Parties |
| Democratic Party | 8 | Eisenkot Bloc |
| Ra’am | 8 | Arab Parties |
| Yisrael Beytenu | 7 | Eisenkot Bloc |
| United Torah Judaism | 7 | Netanyahu Bloc |
| Otzma Yehudit | 7 | Netanyahu Bloc |
| Shas | 6 | Netanyahu Bloc |
| Religious Zionism | 6 | Netanyahu Bloc |
The Netanyahu coalition comprises Likud, Shas, United Torah Judaism, Otzma Yehudit, and Religious Zionism.
Did you know? Arab-Israeli parties won 19 seats combined, nearly doubling their previous hold of 10 seats. ANTARA News reports this was driven by a surge in participation among the Arab population, who make up about 21 percent of Israel’s residents.
Allegations of Voter Fraud and Foreign Funding
Following the results, the Netanyahu camp alleged on October 29 that Arab-Israeli parties received funds from Qatar to “buy votes,” according to detikNews. Sources add that Turkey was also mentioned as being involved in funding to increase Arab voter participation.
Both the Joint List and Ra’am, as well as Qatari authorities, have denied these claims. Gadi Eisenkot accused Netanyahu of attempting to “delegitimize” the election results. Dean Livne, Acting Director of the CEC, dismissed the reports of fraud as “completely baseless” in a statement on October 30, asserting that the integrity of the polling stations was strictly maintained.
Potential Scenarios to Break the Deadlock
With no absolute majority, Israel faces several political paths. One possibility is a national unity government where Netanyahu and Eisenkot share power. CNN Indonesia reports that Channel 14 discussed a proposal where Netanyahu would lead for two years before handing the premiership to Eisenkot in exchange for a full pardon for Netanyahu’s corruption cases. However, Isaac Herzog’s office called these reports a “total lie.”
According to Channel 14, the proposed deal would require Eisenkot to retire from politics. The network reported that Herzog had worked toward such an agreement for two years, and that Netanyahu sought the initial two-year term to continue working with U.S. Donald Trump. Herzog’s office denied this, stating, We are not involved in speculation regarding the process of assigning the formation of the government,
as quoted by Middle East Monitor.
Another path involves Eisenkot forming a coalition with Arab parties.
Political Context: If no coalition is formed, Israel may face new elections.
Israel’s Parliamentary Deadlock Questions
What is the minimum number of seats needed to form a government in the Knesset?
A party or coalition must secure at least 61 out of the 120 available seats to reach a majority and form a government.
Why did Arab-Israeli parties see such a significant increase in seats?
ANTARA News reports that voters were motivated by the policies of Netanyahu’s previous government, specifically the inclusion of far-right figures like Ben Gvir and Smotrich, and a perceived rise in criminality in Arab areas.
What legal challenges is Benjamin Netanyahu currently facing?
CNN Indonesia reports that Netanyahu is undergoing trials for bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, and the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant for him over alleged war crimes in Gaza.
The official election results will be delivered to Isaac Herzog on November 4. Following this, Herzog will consult with party leaders to designate a candidate to attempt the formation of a new government.
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