No Clear Winner in Israel Election, Final Results Show
Netanyahu's bloc leads but falls short of majority, as final vote tallies confirm.
The latest projections from the Israeli election show that while Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party and its allies are set to secure 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset, they have fallen short of achieving an outright majority, leaving the path to forming a government uncertain. 1234
With a high voter turnout of 77.7%, marking the highest in over two decades, the election results reflect a significant shift from the previous Knesset, where Netanyahu’s bloc held 68 seats. This reduction of 15 seats underscores a notable decline in their parliamentary strength. 1
The election was notably influenced by the October 7th Hamas-led attacks and the ensuing conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran, which dominated the campaign discourse. Security, military service, judicial reforms, and international standing were among the key issues debated by candidates. 1
Gadi Eisenkot’s bloc is projected to win 48 seats, and Arab-led parties are on track to capture 19 seats, indicating a diverse representation in the upcoming Knesset. 134
Despite these results, Netanyahu’s party has lodged claims of electoral fraud, alleging large-scale foreign interference from countries like Qatar and Turkey. However, these assertions have been refuted by Israeli authorities. 4
The final vote count shows that Likud received 27 seats, with other notable parties such as United Torah Judaism (UTJ), Otzma Yehudit, Shas, and Religious Zionism Party (RZP) securing 7, 7, 6, and 6 seats respectively. On the other side, Yashar won 21 seats, B'Yachad 12, The Democrats 8, and Yisrael Beytenu 7. Additionally, the Joint List secured 11 seats, and Ra'am received 8 seats. 4
President Isaac Herzog will now consult with various political factions to determine who has the best chance to form a government, a process that is likely to take several weeks. Once a coalition is formed, a prime minister will be selected. 15
Absentee ballots, comprising around 10% of the total votes, are currently being counted, including those from approximately 480,000 individuals such as soldiers and diplomats. These votes are not expected to change the overall outcome. The final tally is anticipated to be completed by Thursday afternoon, with the official results due on November 4th. 45
What we know
- - Netanyahu's Likud party and its allies are projected to win 53 seats in the Knesset. 1234
- - Netanyahu's bloc is leading but does not have a majority. 134
- - Gadi Eisenkot's bloc is projected to win 48 seats. 134
- - Arab-led parties are on track to win 19 seats. 14
- - Netanyahu's party claims the election was stolen. 26
- - High voter turnout at 77.7%. 1
- - Election influenced by recent conflicts. 1
- - Final vote count shows specific seat allocations for various parties. 4
- - President Herzog will consult to find the best candidate to form a government. 1
- - Absentee ballots are being counted but unlikely to change results. 45
Verification report
Likely accurate — probability of truth 78%, weighted across 24 claims from 6 independent outlets. Since the first report: 72% → 78%, outlets 4 → 6.
- confirmed Netanyahu's Likud party and its allies are projected to win 53 seats in the 120-seat Knesset. (97%)
- confirmed Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc is leading the Israeli election but does not have a majority. (95%)
- confirmed Gadi Eisenkot's bloc is projected to win 48 seats in the Knesset. (95%)
- confirmed Arab-led parties are on track to win 19 seats in the Knesset. (87%)
- confirmed Netanyahu's party is claiming that the Israeli election was stolen. (86%)
- likely President Isaac Herzog will consult with political factions and invite the leader with the best chance to form a government. (73%)
- likely The election took place on a high turnout of 77.7%, the highest in over two decades. (73%)
- likely The election was influenced by the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attacks and subsequent wars in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran. (73%)
- likely Key issues in the campaign included security, military service, judicial reforms, and international standing. (73%)
- likely Netanyahu's bloc is 15 seats fewer than it held in the previous Knesset. (73%)
- likely An outright majority was not achieved by Netanyahu's coalition. (72%)
- likely The final vote count showed Likud received 27 seats, UTJ 7, Otzma Yehudit 7, Shas 6, and RZP 6. (72%)
- likely Yashar received 21 seats, B'Yachad 12, The Democrats 8, and Yisrael Beytenu 7. (72%)
- likely Joint List received 11 seats, and Ra'am received 8 seats. (72%)
- likely Netanyahu's Likud party alleges large-scale foreign involvement in the elections. (72%)
- likely Qatar and Turkey are named by Netanyahu as involved in the alleged interference. (72%)
- likely Israeli authorities refute Netanyahu's claims of fraud. (72%)
- likely Negotiations will likely take several weeks to form a coalition government. (72%)
- likely A prime minister will need to be selected following the formation of a coalition. (72%)
- likely Absentee ballots from around 480,000 individuals, such as soldiers and diplomats, are being counted. (73%)
- likely Absence ballots make up approximately 10% of the overall vote. (72%)
- likely The final tally of votes is expected to be completed by Thursday afternoon. (72%)
- likely The official finalized results will be issued on November 4. (72%)
- likely There are still some votes left to be counted, but they are not expected to alter the result. (72%)
Sources
- BBC News — Netanyahu's bloc leading Israel election but short of majority, partial results show
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmdx3knq1xexo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss - PBS NewsHour — Netanyahu's party claims Israeli election 'stolen' as results show him losing majority
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/netanyahus-party-claims-israeli-election-stolen-as-results-show-him-losing-majority - The New York Times — No Clear Winner in Israel Election, Final Results Show
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/29/world/middleeast/israel-election-results-netanyahu-eisenkot.html - Deutsche Welle — Israel election: Netanyahu-led bloc holds lead with nearly 99% of votes counted
https://www.dw.com/en/israel-election-netanyahu-led-bloc-holds-lead-with-nearly-99-of-votes-counted/live-79713839?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf - NPR — With most votes counted, Israeli election reaches a stalemate
https://www.npr.org/2026/10/28/nx-s1-6019423/israel-election-results - WKBN.com (Ohio) — Netanyahu’s party claims election 'stolen' as results show him losing majority
https://www.wkbn.com/news/national-world/ap-israelis-await-final-election-results-as-difficult-choices-lie-ahead/