Symbolic imageNo bloc reaches 61 seats as Arab parties surge in Israel's election
Neither Netanyahu's bloc nor Eisenkot's opposition has a Knesset majority after Tuesday's vote. Arab parties gained sharply and could decide who governs.
On Wednesday morning the Central Elections Committee put Netanyahu's bloc at 54 seats and the opposition at 49, with Likud at 27, according to the Jerusalem Post. FAZ reported an afternoon projection with Likud at 26 and Eisenkot's Yashar at 21. The Joint List and Ra'am are projected at 19 seats (FAZ), up from ten, or at least 17 (Jerusalem Post). Ra'am leader Mansour Abbas said he would consider joining an Eisenkot-led coalition, and Democrats leader Yair Golan urged the opposition to govern with Arab parties. Eisenkot, Bennett and Liberman have ruled out Arab parties in government. Joint List chair Yousef Jabareen said his party is ready to help oust Netanyahu, and analysts discuss a minority government backed from outside.
Likud alleges stolen vote
Likud said Arab parties stole the election through bribery, threats and forgery, and announced it would hand hundreds of testimonies to police, Shin Bet and the Central Elections Committee. The Jerusalem Post notes that no evidence has been made public. The committee says it is examining the submission as part of a routine review, and Rahat's mayor Talal al-Krenawi called the claims lies and incitement.
Trump reportedly wants far right out
US sources told Walla that Trump wants Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich excluded from the next government because he believes settler violence undermines his regional vision. Trump has not commented on the result.
Herzog warns against new election
President Isaac Herzog said everything must be done to avoid another election and expects party leaders to come to consultations with open minds. The Jerusalem Post expects the consultations to begin next week.