Israel election count points to hung parliament as coalition talks begin

Israel’s election was heading toward a hung parliament as the final ballots were counted, leaving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot without a clear route to a governing majority.

With 91% of votes counted, Netanyahu’s right-wing and religious bloc was projected to take 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset, while Eisenkot’s opposition grouping was on 48, according to The Guardian. Arab-led parties were projected to win a record 19 seats. A coalition requires at least 61 seats.

The figures marked a shift from earlier stages of the count. Initial exit polls gave Eisenkot’s bloc a narrow advantage, while partial official results later put Netanyahu’s bloc ahead with 56 seats. Absentee ballots from military bases, hospitals and diplomatic posts were still being tallied, although the final count was not expected to change the overall outcome substantially.

Turnout reached 77.7%, the highest since 1999, according to Israel’s Central Elections Committee. The vote was Israel’s first national election since the Hamas-led attacks of Oct. 7, 2023, and the regional conflicts that followed.

Coalition negotiations are set to focus on whether Eisenkot’s allies will cooperate with Arab-led parties. Some opposition leaders have ruled out serving with them, while Yair Golan of the Democrats supports talks. Joint List leader Yousef Jabareen said his party could support an opposition-led government from outside a formal coalition.

President Isaac Herzog, who will select a candidate to attempt to form a government, urged parties to keep an open mind and avoid another election.