Israeli Election Results Reveal a Divided Electorate and a Fight Over Legitimacy

Seat totals reshape the contest

Election officials released final results on Thursday, showing Netanyahu’s bloc with 53 seats. His main opposition won 48, while Arab-led parties took the remaining 19 in the 120-seat Knesset.

The bloc had held 68 seats at its peak in the previous parliament. If opposition parties join with Arab-led parties, they could potentially command a majority, though such cooperation would be unusual and politically risky. The count is complete, but the results must still be certified and sent to the country’s president next Wednesday.

Claims of interference spread

Likud had circulated allegations of wrongdoing by Arab-led parties after exit polls suggested Netanyahu had suffered a setback. The party intensified its claims after election committee head Noam Sohlberg said serious suspicions of foreign interference had been brought to him.

In a letter, Sohlberg told the Shin Bet security agency he could not verify the allegations, but asked it to investigate because of their seriousness. Likud then declared that the election had been stolen and alleged foreign involvement, without providing evidence.

Israeli media said members of Netanyahu’s party had pointed to Qatar. Qatar rejected the accusations, describing them as ridiculous and dangerous.

Officials urge caution

When the election commission announced results early Friday, it said the inquiry relied on classified intelligence. Acting director general Dean Livne offered no details and said reports about the probe were entirely unfounded.

Livne said the investigation would not change the final results sent to the president and did not target a particular population group. The Shin Bet also said its work was not intended to cast suspicion on people who had voted lawfully and democratically.

Opponents accuse Likud

Former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, Netanyahu’s main rival, accused Likud of trying to discredit the results because it had lost. He mocked the foreign-interference claim by saying he welcomed Netanyahu’s condemnation of Qatari involvement in Israel.

Netanyahu has faced past accusations that former senior aides accepted money from Qatar. By questioning the vote, he appeared to be trying to prevent his opponents from joining with Arab-led parties.

Netanyahu has argued that Eisenkot joining such parties would be treasonous. Their support could potentially help Eisenkot remove Netanyahu from power.