Israel’s election results leave both major Jewish blocs short of a Knesset majority

Preliminary exit‑poll projections released after the October 27 election indicated that neither Benjamin Netanyahu’s right‑wing bloc nor the opposition alliance led by retired general Gadi Eisenkot had secured the 61 seats required for a majority in the 120‑member Knesset. With about 70 % of votes counted, both Jewish blocs were projected to fall short, and the final outcome will depend on the remaining absentee ballots, including those cast by deployed soldiers.

The election saw a notable surge in support for Arab‑Israeli parties. The Joint List, headed by Yousef Jabareen, was projected to win between 16 and 19 seats, a historic high for Palestinian parties in the legislature. Jabareen called for a “genuine Jewish‑Arab partnership” to challenge Netanyahu’s government and said his bloc could not be ignored in any coalition scenario.

Eiskot’s Change bloc, which includes the centre‑left Democrats led by Yair Golan, has been urged by Golan to negotiate with the Joint List and the United Arab List (Ra’am). Golan argued that refusing to engage with Arab parties would perpetuate division and limit the opposition’s ability to form a government. Meanwhile, commentators such as Noa Landau in Haaretz suggested that Eisenkot’s insistence on a “Zionist majority” could trap him politically, echoing tactics used by Netanyahu during the campaign.

Netanyahu’s coalition continues to rely on ultra‑Orthodox parties that oppose conscription for their constituents, a factor highlighted by Golan. Former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed his endorsement helped Netanyahu’s performance, though the final seat tally remains uncertain. Counting is expected to continue for several days as absentee ballots are processed, which historically tend to favor right‑wing parties but may be affected by the presence of older reservists now on active duty.