Arab parties secured 19 seats in the Knesset following an election surge driven by high turnout among Israeli Arab voters aiming to unseat Benjamin Netanyahu, the country’s longest-serving Prime Minister. The opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot has reached 48 seats, seeking support from the Arab factions to establish a governing majority and end Netanyahu’s tenure.
Despite exit polling and pre-election forecasts predicting a major defeat for Netanyahu, his Likud party emerged as the largest single party, with his right-wing bloc capturing 53 seats. With approximately 450,000 absentee ballots scheduled for counting on Thursday, Netanyahu’s tally is expected to rise, though remaining short of the 61-seat threshold required to govern independently.
Political Opposition and Coalition Hurdles
Eisenkot has asserted victory and called for his Yashar party to be invited to form a government, but President Isaac Herzog is expected to task Netanyahu with initial coalition formation as the leader of the largest party. Herzog urged political leaders on Wednesday to approach negotiations with open minds to avoid triggering fresh elections.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu casts his vote in a close election that could end his time in power. Follow AP's live updates. https://t.co/RLBjMCfUjC
Discussions regarding a national unity government have gained traction, potentially pairing Netanyahu and Eisenkot’s alliances. Previous political precedents in Israel include former army chief Benny Gantz joining a unity government following the inconclusive 2020 elections without securing the prime ministership.
Disputes Over the Arab Electorate
Likud officials have challenged the legitimacy of the Arab vote, lodging unsubstantiated claims of irregularities and requesting police investigations to block the opposition from forming a government backed by Arab parties. While Yair Golan, leader of the left-wing Democratic Party, publicly endorsed cooperation with Arab factions, other opposition leaders largely rejected the prospect during the campaign.
Arab citizens hold equal rights as citizens, yet reports from organizations such as the Council on Foreign Relations highlight disparities in living standards and underfunded schools in Arab localities compared to Jewish areas. A 2018 law removed Arabic as an official language, gave it “special status”, and declared Israel the nation-state of the Jewish people.
Security Policies and Regional Pressures
Netanyahu’s government includes right-wing figures such as National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, whose policy positions and rhetoric have drawn widespread criticism. The broader military campaign following the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks—which killed 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages taken—has resulted in the deaths of more than 70,000 Palestinians in Gaza.
External political dynamics also influence the ongoing coalition talks. The US president has backed the Israeli leader, and political analysts note that an emergency security scenario, such as a renewed conflict involving Iran, could accelerate pressure on opposition figures to back a national unity administration.
