Israel Heads for Deadlock as Netanyahu Bloc Stalls at 53
With about 90% of ballots counted, Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc is on 53 seats and Gadi Eisenkot’s on 48, both short of the 61 needed in the 120-seat Knesset. Arab-led parties are set for a record 19. Between 430,000 and 480,000 absentee ballots, many from soldiers, are being counted today. Official results are expected next week, when President Isaac Herzog begins consultations.
Netanyahu’s bloc has lost 15 seats compared with the outgoing Knesset, yet Likud, on 26, remains the largest party. Arithmetic, not size, decides, and both leaders have ruled out depending on the Arab parties. Analysts expect Netanyahu to seek a unity government that could include Eisenkot, though that is far from certain. Herzog has urged restraint: “We must do everything we can … to avoid another round of elections.” Likud has alleged, without evidence, that the election was “stolen”. The Central Elections Committee will examine the claims. Netanyahu stays caretaker prime minister until a government forms.