Israel Election 2025: Netanyahu Falls Short of Majority as Palestinian Parties Surge

With nearly all votes counted in Israel's election, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing coalition has lost its majority, securing around 53 seats in the 120-seat Knesset—short of the 61 needed to govern. His main rival, Gadi Eisenkot's opposition bloc, is projected at 48 seats, while Palestinian Israeli parties have made historic gains with 19 seats. The Joint List, an alliance of Arab-majority parties, won at least 12 seats, and the Islamic Ra'am party took seven, driven by high turnout amid concerns over racism and discrimination under Netanyahu's government. The election saw record participation, with nearly 80% of IDF soldiers voting and many Israelis flying home to cast ballots. Final results, including absentee ballots, are expected by Thursday. The outcome leaves Israel in political limbo: Netanyahu has vowed to form a 'strong rightwing national government' and rejected any reliance on Palestinian parties, while Eisenkot declared the public has voted against Netanyahu and called on him to retire. Coalition talks now loom, with the key question whether Eisenkot's 'Change' bloc will partner with Palestinian parties, force a new election, or seek an alternative arrangement. The rise of Palestinian parties is set to redraw Israel's political landscape, making them potential kingmakers and challenging long-standing political norms.