Benjamin Netanyahu appears set to remain Israel’s caretaker prime minister after an inconclusive election left his political opponents struggling to form a government. Although his right-wing bloc lost its parliamentary majority, projections gave it a lead over the opposition.
The results could reshape Israel’s political landscape as parties negotiate over the formation of a new coalition.
Election Results Leave Parliament Divided
With nearly 86 per cent of votes counted, Israeli broadcasters projected Netanyahu’s bloc would secure 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset. Meanwhile, rival Gadi Eisenkot’s opposition bloc was projected to win 48 seats.
Arab Israeli parties were expected to secure 19 seats, potentially giving them a decisive role in coalition negotiations. However, many Jewish political leaders have opposed formal alliances with Arab parties.
Full results were expected by Thursday evening or Friday morning.
Netanyahu Calls for a Right-Wing Government
Addressing supporters after the initial projections, Netanyahu called for the formation of a strong right-wing government. He also highlighted Israel’s military operations and raised the possibility of further joint action against Iran with US President Donald Trump.
Trump had publicly supported Netanyahu before the election and claimed his endorsement helped the Israeli leader.
However, Eisenkot warned security officials against allowing political considerations to influence national security decisions. He argued that Netanyahu lacked a fresh mandate from voters.
Coalition Talks Could Shape Israel’s Future
The election results reflected continued support for right-wing politics among Jewish Israeli voters. They also left the opposition facing difficult choices over potential cooperation with Arab parties.
Eisenkot has pledged to form a government swiftly and avoid another election. Nevertheless, disagreements over coalition partners could complicate those efforts.
The political uncertainty also affected financial markets. The Israeli shekel weakened, while the country’s main stock indexes fell following the initial projections.
Netanyahu is expected to remain caretaker prime minister during coalition negotiations. If political parties fail to reach an agreement, Israel could face another election next year.
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