Israel’s election produces deadlock as Arab parties emerge with 19 seats

Israel’s parliamentary election has ended without a majority for either of the country’s two principal political blocs, leaving coalition negotiations dependent on Arab-led parties that won a record 19 seats. The final distribution reported by DW, the BBC and India Today gives Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset. The opposition alliance led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot holds 48, while the two Arab-led lists, Ra’am and the Joint List, together account for 19.

A government needs 61 seats. Likud remains the largest individual party, with 27 seats, but that result does not give Netanyahu a path to power by itself. The opposition also falls short, meaning both sides must seek partners, persuade lawmakers to defect or consider a unity arrangement.

The Arab parties’ performance followed unusually high turnout among Arab citizens of Israel, many of whom are descendants of Palestinians who remained after the state’s creation in 1948. Their combined result is higher than their previous record of 15 seats and gives them potential influence over the formation of the next government. Netanyahu has ruled out working with the Arab parties.

Several members of Eisenkot’s bloc have also previously opposed entering government with them, although discussions have intensified because cooperation with Arab lawmakers may be the opposition’s clearest route to a majority. The political uncertainty has been accompanied by a dispute over the conduct of the vote. Likud alleges that Arab-led parties benefited from bribery, threats, illegal voter mobilisation and foreign funding linked in reports to Qatar and Turkey.

The accusations remain unproven. The Central Election Committee asked the Shin Bet to investigate “serious suspicions” of foreign interference, but its acting director general said there was no basis for claims of systematic violations. Israeli police likewise said they had found no supporting evidence.

The Shin Bet stressed that its inquiry did not cast suspicion on the entire Arab community or its lawful participation. Qatar categorically denied involvement. Opposition politicians accused Netanyahu of using the allegations to undermine the election and make cooperation between Eisenkot’s bloc and Arab parties politically more difficult.

Eisenkot said it was too early to know whether any wrongdoing had occurred but described Likud’s response as an organised delegitimisation campaign. The election committee has completed the count, including special ballots cast by soldiers, prisoners, diplomats and hospitalised voters, though formal results still require certification. President Isaac Herzog will then choose a lawmaker to attempt to form a government.

The reports identify three broad possibilities: an Eisenkot-led government supported by Arab parties, a unity government involving Netanyahu and Eisenkot, or a new Netanyahu coalition built through defections. If those efforts fail, Israel could hold another election, extending the political uncertainty.