Anchorage Readers Note: Israel Election Results Show No Clear Winner

Israeli voters cast their ballots in a high-turnout election that has resulted in a fragmented parliament, leaving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his challengers without a clear path to power.

As of Wednesday, with 85% of the vote counted, no single bloc has secured the 61 seats required for a majority in the 120-seat Knesset. Likud, Netanyahu’s party, leads with 20.8% of the vote, while Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party trails at 16.1%. Arab-led parties collectively hold 14.9% of the vote.

Local media projections suggest Likud and its allies hold 53 seats, while Yashar and its partners control 48. The remaining 19 seats are held by Arab-led parties. This distribution means that any government will require a coalition that crosses traditional ideological lines.

Netanyahu has rejected the idea of governing with Arab-led parties, a move he previously called treasonous. He warned on Wednesday against forming a dangerous government that includes these parties. Conversely, Eisenkot has indicated willingness to partner with them under specific conditions, such as their recognition of Israel as a Jewish state.

President Isaac Herzog must now decide which party leader to task with forming a government. He is not bound to choose the leader of the largest party. Herzog stated on Wednesday that all efforts should be made to avoid a repeat election, noting the high level of public engagement in the process.

Voter turnout reached nearly 78%, the highest since 1999. The election was marked by dissatisfaction with Netanyahu’s far-right alliances and concerns over military draft exemptions for the ultra-Orthodox population. Likud’s vote share declined from 23.4% in the 2022 election, reflecting a shift in public sentiment.

Counting of absentee ballots from military personnel and diplomats, estimated at half a million, will continue through Thursday evening. If no coalition can be formed, Israel may face new elections early next year. The country has held five elections between April 2019 and November 2022 due to similar stalemates.

The strong performance of Arab-led parties has reignited debates about national identity in Israel. Mansour Abbas, leader of the United Arab List, declared that the party is no longer on the sidelines. Meanwhile, Netanyahu’s supporters argue he is the most experienced leader for navigating international pressures, while critics point to his ongoing corruption trial and the prolonged conflict in Gaza.