JERUSALEM — Israel’s election has produced no clear winner, with partial results showing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc short of a majority and Arab parties emerging as potential kingmakers.
With about 84 percent of ballots counted, Netanyahu’s bloc had 54 of the Knesset’s 120 seats, short of the 61 needed to govern, while the opposition “change” bloc anchored by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot had 49 and Arab-led parties 17, the Guardian reported. Likud remained the largest single party with 27 seats, ahead of Eisenkot’s Yashar with 22.
Turnout topped 77 percent, the highest in more than two decades, driven in part by a surge among Palestinian citizens of Israel.
“The right-wing bloc has a clear, decisive majority among the Zionist public,” Netanyahu told supporters, stopping short of declaring victory. “We must form a strong, national, right-wing government.”
“The public has chosen change,” Eisenkot said. “The Israeli public voted against Benjamin Netanyahu continuing as prime minister.” Most of his bloc has ruled out a partnership with Arab parties, while Joint List leader Yousef Jabareen said his alliance is ready to help replace Netanyahu.
Final results, including soldiers’ and other special ballots, are expected to be presented to President Isaac Herzog next week, who will then consult party leaders on who should try to form a government.
Sources: BBC News, The Guardian, Al Jazeera
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