Israeli Vote Count Nears End Without Clear Winner

Israeli voters waited on Thursday for final results that are expected to confirm a fragmented Knesset. Local media projections indicate that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies will secure 53 seats, while opposition parties will take 48. An additional 19 seats are projected for Arab-led parties, which also seek to remove the current government from power.

The final tally depends on the counting of approximately 500,000 mail-in ballots. These votes come from military personnel, diplomats, prisoners, and patients in hospitals. Election officials expect this process to conclude by the end of Thursday night. They do not anticipate that these ballots will drastically alter the current projections.

With no single bloc holding the 61 seats required for a majority in the 120-seat parliament, difficult coalition-building decisions loom. Political strategists are debating whether Jewish and Arab parties will form a historic alliance to unseat Netanyahu. Alternatively, some opposition parties may abandon their campaign pledges and join the prime minister's government.

Gadi Eisenkot, the former military chief and Netanyahu’s main rival, addressed his supporters early Wednesday. He described his vision for a government that serves all citizens and reflects the public’s will. Eisenkot did not explicitly rule out working with Arab-led parties, stating he is open to collaborating with them to reach the necessary majority.

The Joint List, an Arab-led party, characterized the election results as a "demonstration of unprecedented strength." The party expressed openness to political cooperation. It also praised Jewish voters who supported a coalition that includes Arab representatives, describing them as willing to swim against the tide of racism.

Small demonstrations took place in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem during the night. Protesters in both cities supported the formation of a coalition that includes Arab-led parties. Until 2021, no Arab party had joined a coalition government, and that previous arrangement was brief.

Netanyahu’s Likud party, despite winning the most votes, accused Arab-led parties of stealing the election. The party asked the electoral committee to investigate the claims. Likud did not provide specific evidence to support its allegations. The electoral committee stated that the number of reported irregularities in the relatively quiet election was low.

President Isaac Herzog will assign a mandate to form a new government next week. By tradition, this role goes to the leader of the party with the most votes, though it is not legally required. Herzog said on Wednesday that he wants to avoid a repeat election, a goal shared by Eisenkot. If no government can be formed after multiple attempts, Israel faces new elections in early next year.

The election took place against a backdrop of deep societal divisions and ongoing conflicts. Issues include whether the rapidly growing ultra-orthodox population should remain exempt from mandatory military service. Netanyahu, the longest-serving prime minister in Israeli history, faces accusations of corruption and of delaying Gaza war agreements for political gain.

Arab citizens, who make up 20% of Israel's population, expressed cautious hope for change. Brosli Elias, a resident of Nazaret, said he hoped the government would bring rights to his community. Meanwhile, the threat of new attacks on Iran adds to the uncertainty. The Trump administration has discussed new strikes after the November 3 midterm elections. Experts suggest Netanyahu could use renewed war to pressure for a unity government under his leadership.