Israel Election Results Leave Knesset in Deadlock
Israel's Central Election Committee declared results showing neither Benjamin Netanyahu nor Gadi Eisenkot secured a majority, leaving Arab parties as potential kingmakers.
The Central Election Committee officially declared the results of the October 27 legislative elections on November 4, 2026, revealing a deadlock in the 120-seat Knesset. The bloc led by incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu won 53 seats, while the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot secured 48 seats. Neither side reached the 61-seat majority required to form a government.
Arab parties, including Ra'am and the Joint List, won a record 19 seats, positioning them as potential kingmakers in the coalition process. Netanyahu has resisted this possibility, describing a coalition with Arab parties as "a shame and disgrace."
President Isaac Herzog began consultations with party representatives on November 4 to determine who can form a coalition, with a deadline set for November 11. The process follows a rejected attempt by the Netanyahu government to block the publication of the election results.
Parallel to the political deadlock, Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara denied a request from Shin Bet chief David Zina to probe Arab party leaders for alleged election interference, citing a lack of evidence.
