Partial election results in Israel indicate a tightly contested race, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remaining a strong contender despite early reports suggesting potential challenges. U.S. President Donald Trump, who had endorsed Netanyahu ahead of the election, claimed his support played a significant role in bolstering the Israeli leader’s electoral prospects. Trump referred to Netanyahu by his nickname, Bibi, and expressed confidence in the prime minister’s position, noting that the contest was now closer than initially anticipated.
As of the latest count, approximately 93% of ballots have been tallied, projecting Netanyahu’s political bloc to secure 53 seats in the Knesset, while the opposition, led by Gadi Eisenkot, is expected to win 48 seats. The Arab parties are projected to gain 19 seats, leaving no single bloc with the 61-seat majority required to form a government. Around 500,000 ballots remain uncounted, including those from soldiers, diplomats, and other special voters, which could influence the final seat distribution.
Trump asserted that his endorsement helped transform Netanyahu’s campaign from a potential defeat into a competitive race. However, he has not yet decided whether to engage in efforts to assist in forming Israel’s next government. The process of forming a stable governing coalition remains uncertain, with Israeli President Isaac Herzog set to consult political parties before assigning a mandate to establish a government.
Netanyahu is expected to pursue a right-wing coalition, while Eisenkot may consider forming alliances with Arab parties. Both options present challenges in achieving sufficient parliamentary support. Should neither bloc succeed, Israel could face another election as early as April, with Netanyahu potentially continuing as caretaker prime minister during the interim.
The final outcome of the election and subsequent coalition negotiations will play a crucial role in determining whether Israel can achieve political stability or faces further electoral uncertainty. President Herzog has encouraged political leaders to work towards avoiding another election, emphasizing the importance of establishing a functioning government.