Israel election count shows Netanyahu bloc at 53 seats amid fraud allegations and foreign interference probe
With about 93% of ballots counted, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud bloc leads with 53 seats while opposition and Arab parties contest fraud claims and a Shin Bet investigation into alleged foreign funding.
Israel's parliamentary election remains unresolved as the Central Elections Committee reports that roughly 93% of votes have been tallied. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud bloc is projected to hold 53 seats, the opposition alliance led by Gadi Eisenkot about 48, and Arab-led parties a combined 19 seats. The Joint List is expected to secure its 19th seat under a surplus-vote agreement, while Ra’am fell short of an additional seat by about 1,200 votes.
The counting of special "double-envelope" ballots – cast by soldiers, prisoners, medical personnel and Israelis abroad – is still under way, with more than 500,000 such votes pending. Final results are expected by October 30, with official publication slated for November 4.
Likud has lodged a series of fraud allegations against Arab parties, citing alleged bribery, intimidation and multiple voting. The party said it will submit testimonies and evidence to the police, Shin Bet and the Central Elections Committee. The committee’s director general, Dean Livne, described the claims as unsubstantiated, noting that the committee has received a list of accusations but no concrete evidence.
Justice Noam Sohlberg, chair of the Central Elections Committee, has asked Shin Bet chief David Zini to investigate suspected foreign funding aimed at influencing the vote. The probe follows reports that Qatar and Turkey may have provided financial support to groups encouraging Arab voter turnout. Qatar has denied the accusations, calling them "dangerous."
Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot called for an impartial and swift investigation, warning that unverified claims should not be used to undermine the official results. He added that any interference must be addressed "impartially, thoroughly, and immediately."
President Isaac Herzog urged parties to avoid a repeat election and to work toward forming a stable coalition. Until a government is assembled, Netanyahu will remain caretaker prime minister.
The election, the first since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, saw a turnout of about 77.7% of the 7.33 million eligible voters.