Netanyahu Bloc Leads Partial Israel Vote Count but Falls Short of Majority

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc held a clear lead in Israel’s partial election count Wednesday, but remained short of the 61 seats needed for a majority in the 120-member Knesset.

With nearly 86% of votes counted, Israel’s three main broadcasters projected 53 seats for Netanyahu’s alliance of right-wing, far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties. The opposition bloc led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot was projected to receive 48 seats, while parties representing Arab citizens of Israel were forecast to win 19.

The figures remained provisional, and earlier projections shifted as counting progressed. Ballots cast by soldiers and others voting outside their assigned polling stations could still alter the seat distribution. Turnout exceeded 77%, its highest level in more than two decades.

Neither main bloc appeared able to form a government without attracting additional support. Netanyahu called for a “strong, right-wing national government” and rejected a government dependent on Arab parties. Some opposition figures urged cooperation with Arab parties, although several parties in Eisenkot’s bloc had previously ruled out such an arrangement.

Netanyahu is expected to remain caretaker prime minister while coalition negotiations proceed. Eisenkot said the vote reflected public opposition to Netanyahu but acknowledged that the prime minister would retain the caretaker role. Final results and subsequent negotiations will determine whether either bloc can assemble a governing coalition.