Israel Election Results: Likud Leads but Netanyahu Bloc Misses Majority
Israel's Central Elections Committee publishes final results. Likud leads, but the pro-Netanyahu bloc falls short of a majority.
The Central Elections Committee of Israel has officially released the final results of the national election, detailing the seat distribution for the 26th Knesset. While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party has emerged as the largest single entity in the parliament, the broader pro-Netanyahu bloc has failed to secure the majority needed to form a government independently.
The Seat Breakdown: Who Won What?
The final tally shows a fragmented political landscape. The Likud party, under the leadership of Benjamin Netanyahu, claimed the top spot with 27 seats. Following them is Yashar with 21 seats, B’Yachad with 12, and the Joint List with 11.
Other parties secured the following representation:
- The Democrats: 8 seats
- Ra’am: 8 seats
- Yisrael Beytenu: 7 seats
- United Torah Judaism: 7 seats
- Otzma Yehudit: 7 seats
- Shas: 6 seats
- Religious Zionism: 6 seats
In terms of broader political alignments, the pro-Netanyahu bloc holds 53 seats, while the anti-Netanyahu bloc has 48. The Arab factions hold a pivotal 19 seats. Voter turnout was significant, with 77.9 per cent of eligible voters casting a total of 5,716,665 votes.
Parties That Missed the Mark
Several parties failed to cross the 3.25 per cent electoral threshold required to enter the Knesset. These include The Reservists (2.7 per cent), People of Israel (1.7 per cent), and Charedi Public (0.2 per cent).
The Road to Government Formation
The official results will be submitted to President Isaac Herzog on November 4, after a period of reviewing potential errors or inquiries. The new Knesset is scheduled to be sworn in on November 10.
President Herzog will consult with party representatives to nominate a candidate who possesses the strongest chance of forming a stable government. If the nominated leader fails to build a coalition within the set timeframe, the mandate may be passed to another figure, or the country could face fresh elections.
Potential Coalitions and Roadblocks
The path to power is complicated by deep political divides. While a "unity government" combining Likud with opposition figures like Gadi Eisenkot (Yashar), Naftali Bennett (Together), and Avigdor Lieberman (Yisrael Beytenu) could theoretically command 66 seats, such a move seems improbable. The opposition campaigned heavily on removing Netanyahu from power, and the Prime Minister remains reliant on his far-right and ultra-Orthodox allies.
On the other hand, the possibility of a minority government led by Yashar chair Gadi Eisenkot with outside support from Arab parties appears bleak. Ra’am party leader Mansour Abbas has already indicated that such an arrangement is unlikely or impossible.
International Reactions and Internal Moves
Amidst the uncertainty, Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who leads the Religious Zionism-Zehut party, have reportedly met to coordinate their strategies following the vote.
From abroad, Argentine President Javier Milei offered strong support to the Prime Minister. In a post on X, Milei congratulated Netanyahu on a "great victory," stating that Likud has once again become the leading force in Israel. Milei emphasized that Argentina and Israel remain strategic allies in defending Western values, praising Netanyahu's leadership despite contrary polls and predictions.