Milan, October 29 (askanews) – Israel remains without a majority after the elections. With over 90% of the ballots counted and approximately 500 votes still to be counted, the picture is unlikely to change: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc is expected to win 53 seats, while the opposition led by Gadi Eisenkot is expected to win 48. Therefore, no one reaches the threshold of 61 seats needed to control the Knesset. The Arab parties, on course for a record 19 seats, could prove decisive.
Together with the opposition, they would reach 67, but to transform that number into a political majority, an agreement would be needed, which has so far been far from certain. Yair Golan, leader of the center-left Democrats, has opened the door to the possibility of collaborating with the Arab groups. The daily newspaper Haaretz also urges the opposition to pursue this path. Once the final results are known, the ball will be passed to Israeli President Isaac Herzog: "I will initiate the consultation process right here, listening to each faction.
One thing must be clear, and I said it before the elections: we must do everything we can—even more so after yesterday—to avoid new elections. I therefore expect all those who come here to demonstrate an open mind." This opens a phase of negotiations that could last weeks. In the meantime, Israel remains entrusted to a transitional government, which also retains powers over security and military operations. Another front is also opening up regarding the vote: the chairman of the Central Election Commission has asked the Shin Bet to investigate suspected foreign interference through foreign funding.
The first results of the investigation are expected within a week.
Askanews