News analysis
Israel’s election: Netanyahu edges ahead, Arab parties win a record 19 seats
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A supporter of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reacting to the first exit polls at a Likud party election event in Jerusalem on Oct 27.
PHOTO: EPA
- Netanyahu’s Likud won 27 seats, but his bloc still lacks a majority. He may stay caretaker prime minister while trying to split the opposition.
- Arab voters turned out in record numbers. Two Arab parties are set to win about 17 seats, a major shift in Israeli politics.
- Israel saw its highest turnout in over 50 years at 78%. The result is likely to bring long coalition talks and possible minority rule.
AI generated
LONDON – With most of the votes in Israel’s general election now counted, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seems to have edged past opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot.
“We must form a strong, national, right-wing government. That is what must be done,” Netanyahu told his supporters in the early hours of Oct 28, as the ballot results came in.