Israeli Arab parties hold key as Netanyahu falls short of majority

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secured a majority in Israel's parliamentary election on Oct. 27, but his coalition fell short of the required 61 seats to form a government. The Likud party, led by Netanyahu, emerged as the most popular party, but Netanyahu's alliance with ultra-Orthodox parties and other right-wing groups fell short of the necessary majority.

The opposition, led by former general Gadi Eisenkot, is now seeking to form a government with Arab parties, which are anticipated to secure around 17 to 18 of the 120 seats in the Knesset, Israel's parliament. The election results underscore the challenges Netanyahu faces in maintaining a stable government, given the ongoing regional conflicts and domestic political divisions.

Arab parties play a pivotal role in determining the balance of power, but forming a coalition with them would require overcoming significant ideological differences and public resistance. The election's high voter turnout of 77.7% reflects the significance of the results for Israel's political future.