RismadarVoice Reporters
October 29, 2026
Israel’s parliamentary election has produced no clear winner, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot both failing to secure a governing majority despite competing claims of political victory.
Provisional results from Tuesday’s election showed Netanyahu’s right-wing and religious alliance projected to win 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset, while Eisenkot’s opposition bloc was expected to secure 48 seats.
Arab-majority parties emerged as significant political players, securing a projected 19 seats following record voter turnout among Palestinian citizens of Israel, estimated at nearly 80 per cent.
The results leave both major blocs short of the 61 seats required to form a government, placing Arab-led parties in a potentially influential position during coalition negotiations.
Netanyahu’s Likud party, projected to remain the largest individual party, accused Arab political organisations of electoral fraud, claiming that irregularities had compromised the voting process.
However, Israeli police and election officials rejected allegations of widespread manipulation, stating that available evidence did not substantiate claims that the election had been stolen.
Eisenkot, whose Yashar party was projected to secure 21 seats, maintained that the election reflected public dissatisfaction with Netanyahu’s administration.
Despite the opposition’s electoral gains, Eisenkot has previously ruled out forming a government dependent on Arab parties, complicating efforts to establish a parliamentary majority.
Other prominent politicians, including former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, also used strong campaign rhetoric centred on national security, Palestinian political participation and the future of Israeli governance.
Ben-Gvir attracted international criticism during the campaign after advocating intensified killings in Gaza and questioning the right of certain Palestinians to live.
Religious Zionism leader Bezalel Smotrich similarly promoted expanded Jewish settlements, including proposals involving Gaza.
Meanwhile, Joint List leader Yousef Jabareen called for greater political cooperation between Jewish and Arab citizens, arguing that inclusive governance was necessary for meaningful change.
Ra’am leader Mansour Abbas also criticised Netanyahu’s campaign rhetoric, accusing him of attempting to mobilise right-wing voters through attacks on Arab political participation.
With final results and coalition arrangements still pending, the election has exposed deep divisions over security, Palestinian rights and Israel’s political direction.
The outcome remains uncertain as party leaders consider possible governing arrangements.
