Andrea Innocenti The Israeli legislative elections concluded with a spectacular result. The coalition led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu won 53 out of 120 seats, while Gadi Eisenkot 's opposition bloc obtained 48. The difference of just five seats prevents either side from reaching the 61-seat threshold needed for a stable government, opening the door to unpredictable negotiations.
The most surprising result comes from the two Arab lists, Raam and the United List , which together obtained 19 seats. This unprecedented presence makes the Arab parties potentially decisive in building a majority, transforming them into what observers have called the "tipping point."
Final results: numbers and seat distribution
According to the Israeli Election Commission , Netanyahu 's Likud party is the largest force with 27 MKs. Its right-wing and far-right allies complete the 53-seat bloc. On the other side, Eisenkot 's new centrist party has gathered 48 members, positioning itself as the main alternative to the outgoing government.
The Arab lists recorded a turnout of over 80% and won 19 seats: Raam with 7 seats, United List with 12. These figures fueled a heated internal debate, with the Likud accusing the Arab lists of having "stolen" the vote, while Arab leaders dismissed the controversy as "rhetoric of the defeated."
The strategic role of Arab parties in government formation
The 19 seats of the Arab lists represent a crucial component for obtaining the essential majority. If both main blocs were to ally with at least one of the Arab lists, they could surpass the 61-seat threshold. However, the leader of the Joint List, Youssef Jabareen , has stated that he does not envision direct participation in a governing coalition under the current conditions, preferring possible "external support" to an opposition government.
The decision to cooperate or not will depend on sensitive issues related to Gaza, the West Bank, and security policies. While Ahmad Tibi , head of the Joint List, celebrated an "overwhelming victory" for the Arab parties, Prime Minister Netanyahu promised he would not allow a coalition with forces he deemed "supporting terrorism."
Statements from the protagonists and international reactions
In the immediate aftermath of the election, Gadi Eisenkot characterized the result as a challenge to a "government of Zionist change" and emphasized the need for a stronger military force. At the same time, Netanyahu released a video critical of the Joint List, accusing it of ties to the Palestinians and of posing a threat to national security.
Reactions were not limited to the domestic scene: Hezbollah Secretary General Naim Qassem interpreted the results as an Israeli defeat, while the European Union praised the high turnout, calling it a testament to the country's democratic vitality. In Israel's brethren, the issue of "double ballots" —approximately 430-480 from voters abroad or in conflict zones—remains open, and their final count could alter the polling station allocation by 10-12 places.