Partial count leaves Netanyahu and Eisenkot short of a majority
Summary
Partial election results in Israel leave neither Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc nor the opposition led by Gadi Eisenkot with enough seats to form a majority government. Coalition talks could stretch for weeks as Palestinian parties emerge with the power to shape the outcome.
Key Points
- With 50% of votes counted, Netanyahu’s bloc is projected to win 55 seats and Eisenkot’s opposition 49 in the 120-member Knesset, short of the 61 needed for a majority.
- Palestinian parties are projected to gain 16 seats, potentially making them decisive in coalition negotiations.
- Netanyahu rejected any government dependent on Palestinian parties, while Eisenkot signaled he could negotiate with the Joint List and Ra’am.
- The election was also marked by a dispute over polling hours, but the Central Elections Committee rejected claims of tampering.
