Overview
- Voters cast ballots on 27 October in a high-turnout election and provisional tallies on 28 October show no bloc has reached the 61-seat majority needed to form a Knesset government.
- The Likud remains the largest single party but its wider right-wing bloc is short of a majority while Gadi Eisenkot’s opposition bloc is equally short, producing a political deadlock.
- Two Israeli Arab lists recorded an unprecedented surge to roughly 17–19 seats in projections, positioning them as potential kingmakers whose support or tolerance could decide a coalition.
- Both Benjamin Netanyahu and Gadi Eisenkot said they were prepared to try to form a government but official results must be certified by the Central Elections Commission before President Isaac Herzog consults leaders and nominates a candidate.
- Key outcomes now include a possible coalition that includes Arab party backing, a minority government relying on ad hoc support, a unity government, or another election, with Netanyahu remaining prime minister in a caretaker role until negotiations conclude.