Netanyahu bloc in lead without majority in Israel election, say official results
Also reported by ABC News
Summary
Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition won the most seats in Israel’s election but fell short of a parliamentary majority, leaving coalition talks uncertain. Arab party groupings won 19 seats combined and could help determine who forms the next government. Allegations of foreign-funded vote buying remain unsubstantiated, and Israeli authorities said investigations were underway without blaming voters or groups.Key Facts
- Netanyahu’s coalition won 53 of the Knesset’s 120 seats, eight short of a majority.
- Likud won 27 seats and remained the largest single party.
- The opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot won 48 seats.
- Raam and the Joint List together won 19 seats and could become kingmakers in coalition negotiations.
- Israel requires at least 61 seats to form a parliamentary majority.
- Netanyahu’s camp alleged that Arab-Israeli groups received foreign funding to influence the vote; the article said officials had provided no evidence.
- Raam leader Mansour Abbas denied wrongdoing and said he welcomed an investigation.
- The Shin Bet investigated suspected irregularities, while the election committee said claims of widespread problems were groundless.
