The elections in the State of Israel have been stolen by Arab parties who support terrorism and the annihilation of the Jewish state through serious criminal acts of corruption, threats, violence, falsehoods and the use of prohibited software to encourage voters to vote,
Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party stated as Israel faced a parliamentary deadlock following the general election. With more than 89 percent of the vote counted, neither Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc nor the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot secured the 61 seats required for a majority in the 120-seat Knesset, leaving the country’s political future uncertain.
Deadlock and the Projected Surge for Arab-Led Parties
Partial tallies show that parties representing Arab Israelis are projected to win 19 seats. Celebrations broke out in Arab towns such as Majd al-Krum in Galilee on Tuesday night following exit polls that captured the surge. Wael Qut said the rise in voter turnout reflects a shift driven by intensified discrimination, home demolitions in Rahat, and the establishment of new settlements in Al-Jalil under the current government.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud accuses Arab parties of having stolen the country’s election, after partial results show they could play a kingmaking role in forming a new government. pic.twitter.com/JTeE2z0I24
The two main political forces centering this shift are the Joint List and Ra’am, led by Mansour Abbas. Despite these gains, major Jewish-led parties face internal resistance to forming a partnership with Arab lists. Likud accused Arab factions of election interference and corruption in a formal statement. Conversely, Yair Golan, leader of the centre-left Democrats party, urged opposition politicians to abandon what he called Netanyahu’s “racist” division between Jewish and Arab voters.
Opposition Strategy and Potential Coalition Scenarios
With Netanyahu’s right-wing, far-right, and ultra-Orthodox bloc projected to win 53 seats and Eisenkot’s opposition bloc trailing at 48 seats, Eisenkot faces a path to power that necessitates backing from Arab-led lawmakers. Eisenkot has laid down four conditions for any parliamentary cooperation: recognise Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, accept the values expressed in Israel’s declaration of independence, accept conscription for Palestinian Israeli citizens, who are exempt, and denounce Hamas as a terrorist organisation. Amjad Shbita, the general secretary of Hadash, the socialist party that is the biggest faction in the Joint List, responded during the vote count that Eisenkot would be in no position to impose terms.
Mansour Abbas stated to Israeli television that most voters in the Eisenkot bloc want to see a government with the Ra’am party, noting that senior members of the bloc had discussed a possible deal with him even before the election. However, securing a majority through formal coalition entry or external support remains fraught with political risk.
Security Warnings and Regional Repercussions
Amid the political gridlock, defense policy and regional security tensions have escalated. Gadi Eisenkot publicly warned military and civil service heads to resist pressure from Netanyahu, whom he characterized as a caretaker prime minister without a mandate or the people’s trust, accusing him of potentially using security matters for political ends regarding threats of new strikes on Iran. Meanwhile, Donald Trump endorsed Netanyahu, claiming his endorsement had “helped him a lot.”
For Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, the composition of the next government carries immediate practical consequences regarding settlement expansion. Netanyahu has repeatedly ruled out a Palestinian state and promised to accelerate the E1 expansion programme. The plan would see approximately 3,400 Israeli housing units built between the Ma’ale Adumim settlement and East Jerusalem, further restricting territorial continuity between Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank. Wael Qut noted that while Eisenkot opposes the E1 expansion and has spoken about cracking down on violent settlers, the fear remains that Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, Netanyahu’s far-right allies, would remain in power.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the projected seat counts for the major blocs in the Knesset?
With nearly 86 percent of votes tallied, broadcasters projected Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc to win 53 seats, Gadi Eisenkot’s opposition bloc to secure 48 seats, and Arab-led parties to claim 19 seats in the 120-seat Knesset.
What specific conditions did Gadi Eisenkot set for cooperating with Arab parties?
Eisenkot demanded that Arab parties recognize Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, accept the values expressed in Israel’s declaration of independence, accept conscription for Palestinian Israeli citizens, and denounce Hamas as a terrorist organisation.
What is the E1 expansion program mentioned by West Bank commentators?
The E1 expansion programme would see approximately 3,400 Israeli housing units built between the Ma’ale Adumim settlement and East Jerusalem, further restricting territorial continuity between Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank.
Which Arab-led parties are at the center of the current political negotiations?
The main factions are the Joint List and Ra’am, led by Mansour Abbas.