Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing and far-right coalition secured 53 out of 120 seats in the Israeli parliament, falling short of the 61-seat absolute majority required to form a government. With 90 percent of votes counted, the prime minister’s party “Likud” remains the largest faction with 27 seats, while the centrist opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot captured 48 seats, and Arab political factions claimed 19 mandates.
Netanyahu Bloc Wins 53 Seats as Coalition Talks Loom
The inconclusive outcome sets the stage for difficult coalition negotiations expected to last several weeks. Neither major political bloc reached the threshold needed to govern alone, raising the possibility of repeat elections if talks collapse. Alongside the primary race, the 19 seats won by Arab political forces—divided between the “Raam” party and the “Joint List” alliance—represent nearly double their representation from the 2022 elections.
Likud Alleges Mass Voting Violations and Foreign Funding
Amid the ongoing vote tally, Netanyahu’s party “Likud” accused Arab political factions of widespread violations, voter fraud, and election theft during the Tuesday parliamentary vote. “Likud” alleged the use of voter bribery, intimidation, violence, falsifications, and unauthorized software for voter mobilization. The party claimed to possess hundreds of testimonies and physical evidence, including thousands of envelopes containing cash and “Raam” ballots, which it plans to submit to the Central Election Committee, police, and the “Shin Bet” internal security agency.
Israeli police confirmed the arrest of three individuals near their homes on suspicion of attempting to buy votes for the “Raam” party, seizing envelopes containing over 24,000 shekels, or approximately 6,900 euros. Acting Director-General of the Central Election Committee Dean Livne described the arrests as an unusual, isolated incident that occurred before voters reached polling stations, noting that an investigation is underway.
Shin Bet Investigates Allegations Amid Opposition Pushback
The “Shin Bet” security agency stated it is investigating potential offenses but emphasized that the probe is not intended to smear or blame an entire segment of the population that voted legally and democratically. Government officials have not presented evidence confirming Netanyahu’s camp’s accusations that Arab organizations received foreign funding from Qatar to influence the vote.
“Raam” leader Mansurs Abass denied any wrongdoing, supported the initiation of an investigation, and accused Netanyahu of incitement and lies to mobilize right-wing voters, noting Netanyahu’s election-day warnings urging supporters to avoid the beach and go to the ballot boxes. The “Joint List” accused Netanyahu and his allies of running a campaign of intimidation driven by fear of growing Arab political influence. Opposition figures, including left-wing candidate Yair Golan, accused Netanyahu of attempting to question the reliability of election results after failing to secure a coalition majority, with Qatari representatives dismissing the accusations as ridiculous and dangerous.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Israeli Parliament Election
How many seats do Netanyahu’s coalition and the opposition hold in the Kneset?
Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc holds 53 seats, while the centrist opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot holds 48 seats. Arab political parties account for 19 seats out of the 120-member Kneset.
What specific evidence did Likud present regarding election irregularities?
“Likud” alleged the use of voter bribery, intimidation, and unauthorized software, pointing to thousands of envelopes containing cash and “Raam” ballots. Israeli police separately arrested three suspects and confiscated envelopes containing over 24,000 shekels in connection with suspected vote-buying.
What is the threshold required to form a government in Israel?
Forming a government requires an absolute majority of at least 61 seats in the 120-seat Kneset. Because neither major bloc reached this threshold, negotiations are expected to take several weeks.
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