by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief

(Worthy News) – Israel faces a political stalemate following Tuesday’s national elections, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition falling short of a parliamentary majority despite his Likud party emerging as the country’s largest political faction.

With more than 90% of ballots counted, Netanyahu’s right-wing and religious bloc was projected to win 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset, compared with 48 seats for the Zionist opposition led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot. Arab parties made significant gains, securing a projected 19 seats and potentially holding the balance of power.

The results leave both Netanyahu and Eisenkot short of the 61 seats needed to govern, raising the prospect of prolonged coalition negotiations, an unexpected political alliance, or another election.

Netanyahu Rejects Arab Party Alliance, Prioritizes Iran

Addressing supporters at Likud headquarters in Jerusalem, Netanyahu declared that his party had secured the strongest electoral showing and called for a unified right-wing government.

“We must form a strong, national, right-wing government,” Netanyahu said, warning against any coalition dependent on Arab parties he accused of opposing Israel’s existence.

Netanyahu also identified Iran as Israel’s greatest strategic challenge, arguing that his government must finish the work of eliminating the threat posed by Tehran.

“Israel stands before a historic, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, with our partner President Trump, to remove the existential threat from Iran once and for all,” Netanyahu declared.

Despite speculation about a possible unity government, Netanyahu reportedly assured National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich that he would maintain their political partnership.

“We are together and we are staying together,” Netanyahu reportedly told his coalition allies, according to Israel’s Channel 14.

Arab Parties Could Determine Israel’s Next Government

The election’s biggest surprise was the strong showing by Arab political factions. The predominantly Arab Joint List was projected to secure 12 seats, while Ra’am was expected to win seven.

Their combined 19 seats could give opposition leaders a theoretical route to replacing Netanyahu, but such an arrangement would require cooperation among parties divided over security, national identity, and the role of Arab factions in government.

Eisenkot, whose opposition bloc was projected to secure just 48 seats, nevertheless insisted that the election represented a rejection of Netanyahu’s leadership.

He pledged to pursue a new government committed to military service and political change.

However, opposition leader Avigdor Liberman has rejected both joining Netanyahu and supporting a minority government dependent on Arab parties, complicating Eisenkot’s path to power.

The deadlock leaves Israel confronting a consequential political choice at a time of continuing regional security threats, particularly from Iran.

Although Netanyahu remains prime minister, the election has left his political future uncertain, with coalition negotiations likely to determine whether Israel maintains its current leadership or enters a new political era.

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