Israel Election Uncertainty Deepens as Netanyahu Fails to Secure Majority

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a difficult battle to form the next government after his coalition fell short of a parliamentary majority in the country’s general election.

Final results released by the Central Elections Committee on Friday showed that Netanyahu’s right-wing and far-right alliance secured 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset.

His Likud party emerged as the largest single party with 27 seats, while the opposition bloc, led by centrist Gadi Eisenkot, secured 48 seats.

The Arab political groupings, Raam and the Joint List, won a combined 19 seats, putting them in a potentially decisive position during negotiations to form the next government.

Neither major bloc reached the 61 seats required for a parliamentary majority. Consequently, the outcome raises the prospect of prolonged coalition talks or another election if negotiations fail.

The uncertainty has also heightened political tensions, following allegations by Netanyahu’s camp that Arab-Israeli groups received foreign funding to influence the vote.

The accusations centred on claims that Qatar funded Raam to finance vote-buying operations. However, government officials have yet to present evidence to support the allegations.

Raam leader Mansour Abbas denied any wrongdoing and welcomed an investigation. The Joint List, meanwhile, accused Netanyahu and his allies of pursuing a campaign of incitement against Arab voters.

Qatar also dismissed the allegations as “ridiculous and dangerous”.

Israel’s domestic security agency, Shin Bet, said it was investigating suspected irregularities. However, it stressed that the probe was not intended to blame an entire community that had voted lawfully.

The electoral commission also sought to ease tensions. Its acting Director-General, Dean Livne, described claims of widespread electoral problems as “entirely groundless”.

Opposition figures accused Netanyahu of attempting to undermine confidence in the election results after failing to secure a governing majority.

Left-wing candidate Yair Golan said the prime minister was trying to challenge the outcome.

Eisenkot said he had received briefings from Shin Bet and the electoral commission. He added that it was too early to determine whether any wrongdoing had occurred.

However, he accused Likud and Netanyahu of coordinating a campaign to delegitimise the election results.

Police said they arrested three suspects over alleged election-related irregularities. The electoral commission, however, described the incident as an isolated local case.

The dispute has further complicated the political situation. Netanyahu’s opponents have also recalled allegations involving Qatar and two of his aides, who were arrested last year over claims they received payments from the Gulf state.

Meanwhile, Joint List leader Yousef Jabareen said his group was willing to cooperate with the opposition to remove Netanyahu from power.

He, however, ruled out joining an opposition-led government, leaving the possibility of a formal coalition arrangement uncertain.

Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, has also faced criticism over his past approach to Qatar’s funding of Hamas in Gaza. That policy came under intense scrutiny following the October 7, 2023 attacks.

With no bloc holding a clear majority, the positions taken by the Arab parties could prove crucial in determining who forms Israel’s next government.