Israel's 2026 election results, still pending final absentee ballots, show a 53‑48 split between Likud and Yashar, with Arab‑led parties holding 19 seats—leaving no single faction with the 61 seats needed for a majority.
President Isaac Herzog emphasized the urgency: "We must do everything we can, to avoid another round of elections," he told reporters, underscoring the high stakes for the 120‑seat Knesset.
Netanyahu, after dismissing any partnership with Arab parties as treasonous, warned that cooperation would undermine Israel's Jewish character. His Likud has slipped to 20.8% from 23.4% in 2022, reflecting growing voter fatigue over the far‑right alliance.
Gadi Eisenkot, meanwhile, kept the door open to a coalition that includes Arab parties, provided they recognize Israel as a Jewish state and condemn Hamas as an extremist group. His Yashar bloc currently holds 16.1% of the vote.
With 78% voter turnout—the highest since 1999—military personnel and diplomatic absentee ballots will be counted until Thursday evening. The outcome will dictate whether a new government forms or a third election is called.