Final election results confirm that neither the Likud-led bloc nor the primary opposition holds enough Knesset seats to establish a majority independently. The 19 seats distributed between the Joint List and Ra'am present the arithmetic key to power, though opposition parties are divided on whether to collaborate with them. A theoretically possible 66-seat unity administration between Likud and major opposition groups faces steep political hurdles as talks continue. Official results will be presented to President Isaac Herzog on November 4 ahead of government-building consultations.
Key points
Disagreements between leaders like Yair Golan and Avigdor Lieberman complicate the opposi…: Disagreements between leaders like Yair Golan and Avigdor Lieberman complicate the opposition's ability to partner with Arab factions.
President Isaac Herzog will receive the final election results on November 4 before holdi…: President Isaac Herzog will receive the final election results on November 4 before holding coalition consultations.
Failure to negotiate a coalition following the November 10 swearing-in could force Israel…: Failure to negotiate a coalition following the November 10 swearing-in could force Israel into another national election.
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NEW DELHI: Arab parties emerge as kingmakers in Israel's next government after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc fell short of a parliamentary majority, with their combined 19 seats potentially offering the opposition a path to power.
However, disagreements within the opposition and uncertainty over cooperation with Arab factions could complicate efforts to form an alternative government.
Israel's final election results confirmed that Netanyahu's Likud-led bloc secured 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset, while the four main opposition parties won 48. The remaining 19 seats went to Arab factions, leaving all sides short of the 61 seats required for a majority.
Likud emerged as the largest party with 27 seats, while opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar secured 21. The Joint List won 11 seats and Mansour Abbas's Ra'am secured eight, taking the combined strength of the Arab parties to 19.
The results have put Arab parties at the centre of coalition negotiations, with their support potentially determining whether Netanyahu retains power or the opposition manages to form an alternative government.
Diplomatic envoys from Doha have arrived in the Iranian capital to help bridge remaining gaps between Washington and Tehran. The mission underscores Qatar's persistent intermediary role in facilitating indirect dialogue between the two long-standing adversaries. These discussions are proceeding in direct alignment with American officials as both sides pursue a potential bilateral breakthrough.
Maritime disruptions in the vital Persian Gulf corridor have intensified after multiple vessels sustained damage from explosives, directly challenging Western security assurances in the chokepoint. The flare-up coincides with expanded regional attacks claimed by Yemeni militants against Saudi infrastructure. Meanwhile, Washington is weighing direct military options alongside backchannel diplomatic efforts following recent American political elections.
The high-stakes diplomatic gathering in Atlanta serves as a crucial preparatory session ahead of a December leaders' summit at Donald Trump's Doral resort in Miami. Deep ideological fractures over energy security, freedom of navigation, and international sanctions mean the talks will conclude with a chair summary rather than a consensus declaration. The discussions also unfold under domestic pressure as Washington navigates rising fuel costs ahead of upcoming midterm elections.