Overview
- Final results show no 61-seat majority, with Likud’s bloc at 53 seats, the opposition at 48 and two Arab lists holding a combined 19 seats.
- The Likud has accused Arab parties of buying votes with foreign funds, prompting the election commission to ask the domestic security service Schin Bet to investigate those claims.
- Police and the election commission have so far said there is no evidence to overturn the vote, and the Schin Bet inquiry is running separately from the formal certification process.
- Coalition options being weighed include a broad unity deal, a minority government tolerated by Arab parties or repeated elections, a scenario some in Netanjahu’s circle view as preferable.
- Street protests are pressing opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to accept cooperation with Arab parties and the outcome could reshape how Israel includes its Arab minority in government and influence policy on security and daily life.