Israel’s election leaves no party with a parliamentary majority

No political bloc secured a majority in the Israeli parliament, or Knesset, following the national election held on Tuesday. Official data released by the Central Elections Committee indicates that neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party nor the party of former military chief Gadi Eisenkot has reached the 61 seats required to form a government. With 60% of the vote counted, Likud holds 21.4% of the support, while Eisenkot’s Yashar party holds 16.2%. The lack of a clear winner suggests a prolonged period of negotiations among various parties to assemble a governing coalition.

The inconclusive result arrives as the country remains divided over leadership and the aftermath of the October 2023 attack by Hamas. Until a new cabinet is sworn in, Netanyahu will continue to serve as the interim caretaker head of the government. The outcome forces Israeli politicians to manage the implications of a strong showing by Arab parties, which could become decisive in breaking the deadlock between the two main blocs. A left-leaning analysis in the Haaretz newspaper noted that the high participation by Arab citizens creates a political challenge for groups that define themselves as democratic.

The next steps in the process will depend on President Isaac Herzog, whose role is primarily ceremonial. Following the final results, the president must select a candidate to form a government, typically the leader of the largest party. Although Likud currently leads in the partial counts, Herzog is not required to assign the task to Netanyahu. Some political observers argue that appointing a different figure might facilitate the coalition-building process given the polarization surrounding the current prime minister.

Military personnel who voted in the election reported a turnout rate of 79.9%, a figure that is more than six percentage points higher than the previous election. Hundreds of thousands of these votes remain uncounted, with some polling stations located in combat areas. The high participation rate among the armed forces adds another layer of complexity to the final seat allocation.

In Jerusalem, Netanyahu addressed supporters past 3 a.m. Wednesday morning, asserting that exit polls confirm Likud as the largest party. He emphasized military achievements over the last three years and pledged to complete operations against Iran. He specifically warned against forming a government that relies on Arab parties. In Tel Aviv, Eisenkot told cheering supporters that the public had voted for change and promised a new era of hope. Both campaign headquarters celebrated the results, reflecting the uncertainty ahead as weeks of political wrangling begin.

The election also sparked international reactions. U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Wednesday that he had heard Netanyahu did well, though he acknowledged it was early in the count. He noted he had not yet spoken with the Israeli leader. Meanwhile, in Belgrade, Serbian police reported a knife attack outside the Israeli Embassy. Interior Minister Ivica Dacic described the incident as a terrorist attack, raising the threat level to the highest status after a minor assailant killed a guard and was shot in return.