Netanyahu wins most seats but falls short of majority as secret election probe continues
Key Takeaways
- Netanyahu's party wins 27 seats, but his political bloc secures only 53, eight short of a majority.
- The opposition bloc holds 48 seats, while Arab-led parties secure 19, potentially influencing the next government.
- Shin Bet investigates suspected foreign interference, but election officials say the probe will not affect the results.
Netanyahu's Likud party secured 27 seats, but his political bloc remains eight seats short of a majority as Israel faces difficult coalition talks and an investigation into suspected foreign interference.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces an uncertain path to forming a new government despite his Likud party winning the most seats in the October 27 parliamentary election.
Official results announced on Friday showed Likud securing 27 seats in the 120-member Knesset. However, Netanyahu's political bloc won only 53 seats, eight short of the 61 required for a parliamentary majority.
The results have left Israel facing difficult coalition negotiations, with neither Netanyahu nor his main political opponents securing enough seats to govern independently.
Central Elections Committee Acting Director-General Din Livne announced the distribution of seats for the 26th Knesset, confirming that 11 parties had crossed the electoral threshold.
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Europe's rainfall divide: Norway's coast receives over 3,000 mm while parts of Spain remain dry
"The Likud list received 27 seats, and the Yashar list received 21 seats. The Beyachad list received 12 seats. The Joint List won 11 seats," Livne announced.
The Democrats and Ra'am each secured eight seats, while Yisrael Beytenu, United Torah Judaism and Otzma Yehudit won seven seats each.
Shas and Religious Zionism received six seats apiece.
The main opposition bloc secured 48 seats, while the two Arab-led parties won a combined 19 seats, potentially giving them an important role in determining the next government.
Voter turnout reached 77.9 per cent, with more than 5.7 million ballots counted, including special double-envelope votes. Nearly 5.69 million votes were declared valid.
Livne said the results could undergo minor adjustments as election officials continued reviewing ballot boxes, checking errors and examining complaints.
The figures are scheduled to be presented to President Isaac Herzog on November 4, ahead of the new Knesset's inauguration on November 10.
Meanwhile, a classified investigation into suspected foreign interference has added another dimension to the political uncertainty.
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Rwanda secures 10-year deal to host Formula One Grand Prix
Livne confirmed that the head of Israel's Shin Bet security agency had presented classified intelligence to Central Elections Committee Chairman Justice Noam Sohlberg, prompting an investigation.
Senior political figures had also received briefings on the matter.
However, Livne rejected reports circulating about the intelligence, stressing that the information remained highly classified.
"I would like to emphasise that the circle of secrecy regarding this intelligence is extremely tight. Not only can further details not be disclosed due to high security classification, but reports published throughout the day are entirely unfounded," he said.
He also maintained that the investigation was separate from the vote-counting process and would not change the election results.
"The investigation is taking place in parallel with the processes conducted by the Central Elections Committee, and it will not affect the final results of the actions. Nor does it pertain to any particular sector," he asserted.
The investigation follows allegations of attempted foreign influence through political funding.
Netanyahu and his allies have separately raised concerns about electoral interference, although officials say no evidence of systematic voting irregularities has been established.
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Africa must unite to gain greater influence within BRICS, analyst says
Israeli media have reported claims from sources within Netanyahu's party linking Qatar to the alleged interference. Qatar has strongly denied the accusations.
The investigation's findings will be submitted to Sohlberg, who also serves as Deputy President of Israel's Supreme Court, once the inquiry is completed.
The Central Elections Committee has said further updates will be provided where security restrictions permit.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
