Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s Prime Minister, and his bloc are leading the parliamentary election count but remain short of a majority, with opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot also struggling to secure enough seats to form a government as votes continue to be counted.
With more than 70 percent of votes counted, Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc is projected to win 54 seats in the 120-member Knesset, while the opposition bloc led by Eisenkot held 47 seats. Arab-led parties were projected to win 19 seats, potentially giving them a decisive role in negotiations over the next government.
A bloc needs at least 61 seats to command a majority. The results remain provisional and could change as counting continues.
Netanyahu, whose Likud party appears set to emerge as the largest single party, called for a strong right-wing government, arguing that his camp retained broad support among Jewish voters and those who support Israel as a Jewish state.
“We must form a strong, national, right-wing government. That is what must be done,” he told supporters.
Eisenkot, a former military chief and leader of the newly formed Yashar party, said voters had chosen change and rejected Netanyahu’s continued leadership.
“The public has chosen change,” Eisenkot said, adding that he would work with political partners to form a stable government.
The election has exposed deep divisions over security, the wars involving Israel, the government’s handling of the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks and the sharing of military service obligations. The attacks killed about 1,200 people in Israel and triggered the war in Gaza.
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Some voters have blamed Netanyahu’s government for security failures and criticised its handling of the conflict, while others continue to support his hard-line approach towards Palestinian groups and Iran.
Some voters were concerned about the economic and social costs of prolonged wars, while others viewed Netanyahu’s security policies as essential to protecting the country.
Arab-led parties could prove pivotal if neither major bloc reaches the required majority. Their projected gains follow increased participation among Arab Israeli voters, many of whom have sought greater political influence and action on crime and public services in Arab communities.
However, cooperation remains uncertain. Most Jewish opposition parties had campaigned against forming a government with Arab-led parties, citing differences in political priorities.
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Under Israel’s parliamentary system, the president will consult party leaders after the final results and invite the candidate considered most likely to form a government. That candidate normally has 28 days to assemble a coalition, with a possible 14-day extension.
The outcome will determine whether Netanyahu can retain power or whether rival parties can negotiate an alternative coalition in a country where governments depend on alliances among multiple parties.
Faith Omoboye is a foreign affairs correspondent with background in History and International relations. Her work focuses on African politics, diplomacy, and global governance.
