Netanyahu's bloc leads Israel's election count but sits eight seats short of a majority. Arab parties won a projected record 19 seats.
26 seats projected for Likud, still the largest single party. 7 seats each projected for United Torah Judaism, Shas and Otzma Yehudit. 77.7% overall turnout, the highest since 1999. About 80% turnout among Arab citizens, per early Channel 12 indications. Why it matters: Eisenkot's bloc likely cannot govern without Arab parties' backing. During the campaign, it promised not to form coalitions with them.
Eisenkot set conditions, including recognizing Israel as a Jewish state. Bennett and Liberman reject a government relying on Arab parties. Netanyahu said a government relying on Arab parties must not form.
The story so far 18 steps · since Oct 7 Oct 7 Trump Says U.S. Won't Attack Iran Before Midterms 66 sources Oct 10–13 3 smaller steps Oct 18 Trump Endorses Netanyahu Nine Days Before Israeli Election 64 sources Oct 19 3 smaller steps Oct 22 Israel Heads to Divisive Election Tuesday 63 sources Oct 23–24 2 smaller steps Oct 256:51 AM Israeli Expats Expected to Fly Home for Pivotal Vote 92 sources Oct 25–27 4 smaller steps Oct 274:39 PM Netanyahu Projected to Win 53 Seats as Most Votes Counted You are here Oct 28 Likud Alleges Arab Parties Stole Election, Demands Investigation 9 sources Latest
How 20 sources split on this story Bias Ownership
Strong Left Left Lean Left Center Lean Right Right Strong Right
Political Bias
Coverage by lean % of 20 sources
40% 35% 25%
20 sources · 47 articles · 40% Left coverage
Where they split: Coverage divides over whether the result is a defeat for Netanyahu or a lead he can still convert into a government.
Center coverage, 7 sources: The center frames the result as an opening for the opposition that depends on whether it will work with Arab parties.
Left coverage, 8 sources: The left sees a historic Arab turnout, driven in part by what Arab politicians called racist campaign tactics, reshaping Israeli politics.
Right coverage, 5 sources: The right sees Netanyahu's bloc leading the count, though some call it a bad night with the outcome still open.
What’s next: Eisenkot faces a choice among three paths. He could negotiate with the Joint List and Ra'am, govern as a minority, or pursue a unity deal with Netanyahu.
Joint List figures say they will not accept Eisenkot's conditions. Liberman urged Likud members to defect to the opposition. Will final counts shift seats enough to change the coalition math? Will Eisenkot drop his conditions for working with Arab parties? 
