Benjamin Netanyahu and his main rival, Gadi Eisenkot, are preparing for difficult coalition negotiations after Israel’s general election left both political blocs short of the majority needed to form a government, with Arab-led parties projected to secure a record 19 seats.
With more than 93 percent of ballots counted, Netanyahu’s Likud-led bloc was on course to win 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset, while Eisenkot’s opposition bloc was projected to secure 48 seats. Both fall short of the 61 seats required for a parliamentary majority, leaving the formation of the next government dependent on negotiations with other parties.
Netanyahu called for “a strong right-wing national government”, signalling his intention to remain in power. Eisenkot, whose Yashar party was projected to win 21 seats, said voters had “spoken in favour of change” following initial exit polls that suggested his opposition bloc could challenge the prime minister’s allies.
The results leave both leaders seeking support from smaller parties to assemble a governing coalition. Arab-led parties could play a pivotal role, with the Joint List projected to win 11 seats and the United Arab List eight. However, most Jewish parties have pledged not to work with Arab-led factions, complicating efforts to form an alternative government.
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The final seat distribution remains uncertain as officials count up to 480,000 absentee ballots from groups including soldiers, diplomats and hospital patients who were unable to vote at polling stations. Under Israel’s proportional representation system, the ballots could alter the number of seats allocated to individual parties.
President Isaac Herzog will consult political factions after the results are confirmed and invite the candidate he believes has the best chance of forming a government. The process could take weeks, and failure to secure a coalition could eventually lead to another election.
Herzog praised the 77.7 percent turnout recorded in the election, the highest in more than two decades, describing it as evidence of public commitment to democracy.
“It is a badge of honour for Israeli society, and it was remarkable to see how deep the desire for democracy is in Israel,” he said.
He urged party leaders to approach the negotiations with flexibility, adding: “We must do everything we can, certainly after yesterday, to avoid another round of elections. So, I expect everyone who comes here to come with an open mind.”
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The election has left Netanyahu facing the challenge of maintaining his governing alliance, while Eisenkot must determine whether he can unite opposition parties with differing political priorities and overcome resistance to cooperation with Arab-led factions.
With neither bloc holding a clear majority, the final ballot count and the outcome of coalition talks will determine who leads Israel’s next government.
Faith Omoboye is a foreign affairs correspondent with background in History and International relations. Her work focuses on African politics, diplomacy, and global governance.
