Israel Election Final Results: Netanyahu Bloc Wins 53 Seats but Falls Short of Majority

Israel’s final election results are out. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc won 53 seats, but that is not enough to form a government on its own. A bloc needs 61 seats in the 120-seat Knesset to govern.

The final count came from Israel’s Central Elections Committee early on Friday, 30 October. It confirmed that no bloc won a majority. Weeks of coalition talks are now expected.

Earlier, Israel Election Results: Exit Polls Show No Bloc Winning a Majority as Eisenkot Claims Victory pointed to the same deadlock, and the final count has now confirmed it.

Final count: 53, 48 and 19

Netanyahu’s coalition of right-wing and far-right parties won 53 of the 120 seats. His Likud party stayed the largest single party, with 27 seats. The bloc is down from the 64 seats it won in the last election in 2022.

The main opposition bloc, led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, won 48 seats. Two Arab groupings, Raam and the Joint List, won 19 seats together. That is their highest-ever number, and it could make them kingmakers in the talks.

Neither side can reach 61 without help. The opposition must either work with the Arab parties or join Netanyahu in a unity government. Both options are difficult, because the opposition campaigned on removing Netanyahu from power.

What happens next

The final tally will be formally presented to President Isaac Herzog on Wednesday. Herzog will then consult party leaders before asking one person to try to form a government. That person will have 28 days to negotiate a majority.

If the first candidate fails, the president can task up to two others with trying. If no one succeeds, Israel could face another election early next year. Analysts say Herzog is likely to offer Eisenkot the first chance, but that is not confirmed.

Small corrections to the count are still possible in the coming days. Parties can also file complaints and legal challenges until 18 November.

Fraud claims under investigation

The final count came after days of unproven fraud claims. Netanyahu’s camp amplified allegations that Arab-Israeli groups received foreign funding to influence the vote. The Arab parties rejected those accusations.

The elections committee chairman has asked the Shin Bet chief to investigate suspicions of foreign influence in the Arab sector. Officials say the investigation will not change the final results sent to the president.

Yousef Jabareen, head of the Joint List, said he is willing to cooperate with the opposition to bring down Netanyahu, but without joining its government. Eisenkot has left the door open to working with the Arab parties.