Netanyahu’s coalition wins 53 seats but falls short of a majority in Israel
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Le Monde, L’essentiel, Seneweb and Defimedia
Final results give Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing and far-right coalition 53 seats and the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot 48, leaving neither with a majority, according to Le Monde, L’essentiel, Seneweb and Defimedia. Likud wins 27 seats and the two Arab lists, Raam and the United List, 19, according to L’essentiel, Seneweb and Defimedia. Defimedia reports turnout of 77%, the highest since 1999.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s camp has won 53 of the 120 seats, compared with 48 for the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot, leaving neither side with a majority, according to Le Monde, L’essentiel, Seneweb and Defimedia. Likud remains the largest party with 27 MPs, while the two Arab lists, Raam and the United List, have won 19 seats, according to L’essentiel, Seneweb and Defimedia.
The election, held on Tuesday, was the first since Hamas’s attack in Israel on 7 October 2023. Turnout reached 77%, its highest level since 1999, and the results pave the way for difficult coalition negotiations, Defimedia reports.
Netanyahu’s camp has circulated allegations of fraud targeting Arab parties, including suspicions of Qatari funding to buy votes. Qatar and the parties concerned have rejected the allegations, while Eisenkot accused Netanyahu of seeking to “delegitimise the results”, according to L’essentiel and Defimedia. Defimedia notes that the opposition had also campaigned by accusing Netanyahu and his associates of maintaining ties with Qatar, which has financially supported Hamas and hosted its political leadership for years.
The Shin Bet is investigating suspected irregularities, while specifying that the inquiry is not intended to incriminate a community that voted legally. The Electoral Commission has described some reports as “entirely unfounded” and said the investigation would have no effect on the final results, according to L’essentiel and Defimedia.
The Electoral Commission will officially submit the results to President Isaac Herzog on Wednesday. He will consult the leaders of parties represented in the Knesset before appointing someone to try to form a government. Negotiations could last for weeks and, if they fail, new elections could be held, according to L’essentiel and Defimedia. Defimedia adds that the election took place amid international criticism of the conduct of the war in Gaza and of violence and settlement expansion in the West Bank. Netanyahu is also threatening to resume a military campaign against Iran, Defimedia reports.
