As of Wednesday, the outcome of Israel's election remains uncertain, with both Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and challenger Gadi Eisenkot falling short of the 61 seats needed to form a governing coalition in the Knesset, which has a total of 120 seats. An updated Channel 13 poll reported both blocs at 51 seats, while other channels showed Eisenkot's bloc slightly ahead at 52-50.
The Arab-led parties are projected to secure 17 to 18 seats, marking their strongest performance ever. Eisenkot, a former military chief of staff, claimed victory based on preliminary results, suggesting a lack of confidence in Netanyahu's government following the October 7 Hamas attack and subsequent conflicts. Voter turnout was notably high at 77.7%, the highest in 27 years.
The election is viewed as a referendum on Netanyahu's long-standing leadership, with supporters praising his handling of the recent war, while critics cite his corruption trial and controversial policies as reasons for his unfitness for office. The significant performance of Arab parties may influence coalition negotiations, as their pro-Palestinian stance aligns more closely with Eisenkot.
However, Eisenkot's potential coalition may struggle to form a majority without including Arab and left-wing parties. Netanyahu's coalition partners have expressed concerns over Arab participation, and he may attempt to delay the formation of a new government to maintain his political position.
Analysts suggest that the next government's policies on critical issues like Iran and Palestine may remain unchanged unless a broader coalition is formed