Netanyahu Bloc Leads Partial Israeli Election Count

With 84.5% of ballots counted, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s alliance remains ahead, but neither major political bloc has secured the parliamentary majority required to form a government

Israel’s electoral landscape remains unresolved as the latest vote count shows neither of the country’s two main political camps on track to independently command a majority in the Knesset.

According to partial results released by Israel’s Central Elections Committee at 12:34 p.m., with 84.5% of ballots counted, the bloc led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stands at 54 seats. The opposing camp headed by Yashar leader Gadi Eisenkot is projected to win 49 seats.

The figures place Netanyahu’s alliance in the lead, yet still well short of the 61-seat threshold required to establish a governing majority in Israel’s 120-member parliament. Eisenkot’s bloc also remains below that mark, leaving the outcome of coalition negotiations uncertain as vote counting continues.

Arab Parties Lose Ground

The two Arab-led parties, United List and Ra’am, are currently projected to secure a combined 17 seats, a decline from earlier projections during the count.

Three parties remain below Israel’s 3.25% electoral threshold and would not enter parliament if those figures hold. Reservists is polling at 2.7%, People of Israel at 1.6%, and Haredi Public at 0.2%.

Additional Ballots Still to Be Counted

Election officials emphasized that the numbers remain provisional and could shift as additional votes are processed.

The Central Elections Committee noted that ballots cast through Israel’s double-envelope voting system, including votes submitted by soldiers, have not yet been included in the published totals and will be counted at a later stage. Their inclusion could affect the distribution of seats as the tally progresses.

(Photo: © AndKronos)