Israel Election Results Certified as President Begins Government Talks

Election Results

Israel's Central Election Committee has certified the October 27 general election results and handed them over to President Isaac Herzog after finding no proof of fraud. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party had earlier claimed fraud to question the vote. The election leaves the 120-seat Knesset split between rival camps without a clear winner. The Netanyahu bloc won 53 seats while the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot secured 48 seats. Arab-led parties took the remaining 19 seats.

Government Formation

President Herzog has accepted the official results and started two days of talks with party bloc leaders to pick a prime minister. Eisenkot and the Change bloc with 48 seats plan to back Eisenkot for the role. Netanyahu expects to secure backing from four allied parties holding 46 seats. Three parties have not yet named their choice, including the Arab-led Ra'am, the Joint List, and United Torah Judaism. United Torah Judaism holds seven seats and could help Netanyahu stay in power if it chooses to back him. Netanyahu's team is currently holding talks with the Haredi faction to win its support.

Context

Israel operates under a parliamentary system where political parties must build a coalition holding a majority of seats in the parliament to form a government. Because no single party or bloc reached the 61-seat majority needed in this election, presidents typically guide talks to help rival groups form a workable ruling partnership. Leaders often have to make compromises with smaller parties to reach the required numbers and avoid fresh elections.