After Israel’s 27 October parliamentary election, government formation remained uncertain on Wednesday. As of 7:43 a.m. local time, 55.4% of ballot boxes had been counted. A provisional estimate based on that tally gave Netanyahu’s bloc 56 seats, the anti-Netanyahu bloc 49 and Arab-led lists 15. Counting continued; double-envelope ballots, including votes cast by military personnel, were still outstanding. [2]
An earlier Associated Press report, published when about half the votes had been counted, put Likud at 20.6% and Yashar, Gadi Eisenkot’s party, at 16.8%. That count did not yet show a seat allocation. The newer estimate is also provisional. [3]
Exit polls from the three major television networks also showed no clear majority for either of the main blocs. Their projections were adjusted during the night and are not official results. [3][4]
The Knesset has 120 seats; a government needs at least 61 for a majority. Voters choose party lists, which then have to form coalitions. Arab-led lists could matter in close coalition negotiations. Several Jewish-led opposition parties rule out formal cooperation with Arab factions. Netanyahu said on election night that a government should not rely on Arab parties. [3][6]
The vote took place in the aftermath of Hamas’ 7 October 2023 attack and the wars that followed across the region. Key campaign issues included security, accountability for the failures of 7 October and exemptions from military service for ultra-Orthodox men. Turnout was 77.7%, the highest since 1999. [3][5][6]
Netanyahu remains caretaker prime minister until a new government takes office. After the count, President Isaac Herzog consults the elected factions and asks a member of the Knesset to try to form a coalition. The Central Elections Committee is due to publish final results by 4 November. [1][3][6]