No clear winner in Israel elections: Arab parties could hold sway as Netanyahu, Eisenkot fall short of victory
No clear election winner
Early results suggest Netanyahu performed better than widely expected, with Likud leading as the largest individual party. But the overall contest remains close, and no bloc has secured an apparent path to victory.
Turnout topped 77% as voters went to the polls. The election had been widely expected to produce a deadlock, and the results so far have not established a clear winner.
Coalition talks begin
Netanyahu and Eisenkot both spoke to supporters overnight and pledged to assemble the next government. Political parties are now expected to negotiate over a coalition, with larger parties often seeking support from smaller ones through offers involving cabinet roles, budgets or policies.
A candidate who cannot assemble a majority within a maximum of six weeks could give way to another candidate. Until a new government is formed, Netanyahu’s administration remains in a caretaker role and cannot make major policy changes.
Arab parties face resistance
Many Jewish opposition parties campaigned on pledges not to cooperate with Arab-majority lists, saying they lacked shared values. Right-wing politician Avigdor Lieberman also said he would not join a minority government dependent on their support.
The article describes growing mistrust and hostility towards Arab citizens since the Hamas-led assault of 7 October 2023. One bloc leader said politicians often take a different approach after elections, adding that such changes had happened before and were not a concern.
A turbulent political backdrop
Netanyahu and his coalition partners have pursued a religious and nationalist direction during the past four years. Their proposed judicial overhaul prompted mass protests before the 7 October 2023 attacks, which led to wars in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran.
The election was seen by many as a crucial chance to remove what they called Israel’s most right-wing government. Yet early results suggest the past four turbulent years have not substantially shifted voting patterns.
Key points
- Likud is the largest single party so far, but the election has no clear winner.
- Turnout exceeded 77%, and coalition negotiations are under way.
- Arab-majority parties could feature in talks despite opposition to working with them.
- A candidate has up to six weeks to try to form a majority.