Overview
- The final count, published Friday, made Likud the largest party but left Benjamin Netanjahu’s right-religious bloc with only 53 of 120 seats and no governing majority.
- Two Arab lists won a combined 19 seats, a record result that gives them the potential kingmaker role in any coalition and reshapes bargaining math in the Knesset.
- Likud has accused the Arab parties of buying votes with foreign money and named Iran, Qatar and Turkey in its allegations; the election commission has asked Shin Bet to investigate while police and the commission say they have found no evidence so far that would overturn the count.
- Civic activists have staged protests outside opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot’s home pressing him to form a government with Arab support, even as parts of his bloc express reservations about such a partnership.
- With no bloc at 61 seats, analysts see three main paths forward: a broad unity or rotation deal between Netanjahu and Eisenkot, a minority government that relies on outside support from Arab lists, or repeat elections if coalition talks collapse.