Benjamin Netanyahu's political bloc captured 53 seats, falling short of a majority while outpacing rival Gadi Eisenkot's camp, which secured 48 seats. Palestinian citizens of Israel turned out in record numbers to elect 19 lawmakers to Arab parties, despite facing armed right-wing observers and intimidation efforts. Netanyahu's Likud party subsequently alleged the election was stolen by Arab factions, an accusation police determined was entirely unsupported by evidence. Although Arab lawmakers have offered to back an anti-Netanyahu coalition, the Zionist opposition remains reluctant to rely on their support.
Key points
Police found no evidence supporting Likud claims that the election was stolen by Arab pol…: Police found no evidence supporting Likud claims that the election was stolen by Arab political factions.
Zionist opposition leaders remain hesitant to form a government reliant on the support of…: Zionist opposition leaders remain hesitant to form a government reliant on the support of Arab parties.
The failure of either primary faction to secure a majority leaves the country facing prot…: The failure of either primary faction to secure a majority leaves the country facing protracted political uncertainty.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
Israel's election has ended in deadlock.
Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc has 53 seats, his rival Gadi Eisenkot's 48, and neither has the 61 needed to govern.
The surprise of the night: Palestinian citizens of Israel turned out in record numbers, pushing Arab parties to a record 19 seats. They did so despite armed right-wing observers in their towns and a campaign of fear from the prime minister.
Now Netanyahu's Likud claims the election was "stolen" by Arab parties. Police say there is no evidence.
Arab parties offer to back an anti-Netanyahu government, but the Zionist opposition is wary of relying on them. So who will govern Israel, and could deadlock keep Netanyahu in power anyway?
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