Netanyahu bloc projects 53 seats, leaving Israel without a clear path to power

Isisraelis are waiting for the final tally of parliamentary seats to confirm a fragmented outcome in the October 2026 elections.

Local media projections show Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc securing 53 seats in the 120-seat Knesset.

Opposition parties are projected to win 48 seats, while Arab-led parties, which also oppose Netanyahu, are expected to hold 19.

No single camp has reached the 61-seat majority required to govern, creating a political impasse that will last until the final results are certified.

Final results could be released as early as Thursday evening after the counting of approximately 500,000 absentee ballots.

These ballots were cast by military personnel, diplomats, and individuals in hospitals and prisons, and are not expected to drastically alter the projected seat distribution.

Former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, the chief rival to Netanyahu, addressed supporters early Wednesday.

He described a future government that serves all citizens and reflects the will of the people, though he did not explicitly name the Arab-led parties in his initial remarks.

Eisenkot has previously stated he is open to cooperating with these parties to reach the necessary majority, a move that would mark a historic shift in Israeli politics.

The Joint List, one of the Arab-led parties, praised the high turnout among Arab citizens and expressed openness to political cooperation.

Small rallies were held in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem to support a coalition that includes Arab parties, a configuration that has been rare in Israel since a brief period in 2021.

Netanyahu’s Likud party, despite winning the most individual votes, has accused Arab-led parties of stealing the election and asked the election committee to investigate the claims without providing specific evidence, though the committee has noted a low number of reported irregularities in the generally calm vote count next week, President Isaac Herzog will task a candidate with forming the next government, a role traditionally given to the leader of the largest party but not constitutionally required, if attempts to form a government fail, Israel will face a new election early next year, a scenario both Herzog and Eisenkot have signaled they wish to avoid, the prospect of new elections raises questions about whether Arab citizens and the tens of thousands of Israelis who flew home specifically to vote would participate again in the same numbers, Israel entered this election divided on critical issues, including the exemption of the fast-growing ultra-Orthodox population from compulsory military service and Netanyahu’s handling of the war in Gaza, the prime minister, who faces corruption allegations, is also accused of delaying hostage deals for political gain while the country’s international standing suffers from criticism over Palestinian treatment in Gaza and settler violence in the West Bank, for Arab citizens, who comprise 20% of the population, the election results offer cautious hope for greater influence in government, Brosli Elias, a resident of Nazareth, said he hopes for a government that secures rights for his community, the uncertainty is compounded by the threat of further strikes against Iran, as the Trump administration has discussed new attacks following the November 3 midterm elections, experts suggest Netanyahu could use a renewed war to push for a unity government under his leadership, which could delay a long-resisted public inquiry into the security failures behind the October 7, 2023 attack.