Netanyahu Didn’t Win Israel’s Election, But He’s Far From Out: Here’s Why

Israel’s fourth election in two years has left Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu short of a parliamentary majority, but the country’s fractured political landscape means he still has multiple paths to stay in power. Preliminary results show his Likud party and its right-wing allies winning around 52 seats in the 120-seat Knesset, far from the 61 needed to govern. Yet a bloc of parties opposed to Netanyahu also fell short, leaving the balance of power with smaller parties that could tip either way. Netanyahu’s ability to form a coalition may hinge on persuading right-wing rival Naftali Bennett or the Islamist Ra’am party to support him, or on triggering yet another election if no one can build a government. The outcome matters well beyond Israel: it will determine whether the country gets a stable government after years of political deadlock, and whether Netanyahu—on trial for corruption—can use his office to influence his legal fate. With no clear winner, weeks of coalition horse-trading lie ahead, and the possibility of a fifth election remains real.