Over 90% of Ballots Opened in Israeli Elections: Majority Not Achieved

The Israeli Central Election Committee (CEC) announced that more than 90% of the ballots have been counted. According to the current results, the right-wing bloc led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu won 53 seats in the 120-seat parliament (Knesset), while the opposition bloc led by Yashar Party leader Gadi Eisenkot secured 48 seats. It was reported that both groups fell short of the 61-seat majority needed to form a coalition government.

In the distribution of counted votes by party, Netanyahu's Likud party emerged first with 26 seats, while Eisenkot's Yashar party obtained 21 seats. Naftali Bennett's B'Yachad party and the Joint List each won 12 seats, the Democrats 8, Otzma Yehudit, Shas, United Torah Judaism, Ra'am, and Yisrael Beytenu parties each secured 7 seats, and Religious Zionism won 6 seats. In the elections where Arab voters showed high participation, the Joint List and Ra'am parties achieved a historic success by reaching a total of 19 seats.

FINAL RESULTS TO BE ANNOUNCED ON NOVEMBER 4

The Election Committee announced that the counting of approximately 430,000 to 480,000 votes, used by soldiers, diplomats, and prisoners and referred to as 'double envelope' votes, will begin on Thursday. It was noted that these votes could change the seat distribution, and the official and final results of the elections will be announced on November 4.

STATEMENTS FROM PARTIES

Following the election results, the Likud party accused Arab parties of irregularities and vote theft, claiming that they have handed over their evidence to security forces and intelligence units.

In a statement by the Arab alliance Joint List, it was expressed that high voter turnout was decisive in preventing Netanyahu from achieving a majority. Joint List leader Yousef Jabareen stated that they could support an anti-Netanyahu government from outside without joining the coalition. Opposition leader Eisenkot emphasized their focus on achieving change and forming a new government. Israeli President Isaac Herzog is expected to begin consultations on forming a government next week.