Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emerged as the winner of the parliamentary election, but his right-wing and ultra-Orthodox bloc did not reach the majority needed to govern alone. According to final results released by the Central Elections Committee, the Likud-led coalition won 53 of the Knesset's 120 seats, eight short of the 61 required.
Likud was the most-voted party with 27 seats, five fewer than in 2022. Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar came second with 21 seats, followed by Naftali Bennett's Together with 12. The Joint List, an alliance of Arab parties, won 11.
The result points to a deadlock. Eisenkot's opposition bloc holds 48 seats and the Arab parties 19, so neither side can secure a majority alone. President Isaac Herzog will consult the parties and choose the candidate most likely to win parliamentary support.
Formal validation of the results is scheduled for 4 November. Until then, parties will begin talks, and the impasse could prolong uncertainty or lead to new elections.