'Likud has become like a cult': Voters who spoke to Haaretz foreshadowed Netanyahu's staying power
Starting in the spring, hundreds around Israel told Haaretz how they would vote - and why. The election results show that in places like Kiryat Shmona and Netivot, when some said they wouldn't switch to Eisenkot's party, they meant it
Final vote tally from Israel's recent election indicates Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party remains the largest in the Knesset, with 53 seats. The opposition bloc needing to replace Netanyahu secured 48 seats. Both fail to achieve the 61-seat majority, necessitating coalition negotiations with Arab parties. Investigation underway into alleged foreign funding by entities like Qatar and Turkey may impact coalition dynamics.
Netanyahu's Likud holds 27 seats, United Torah Judaism, Otzma Yehudit, Religious Zionist Party, and Shas together with six seats each. Opposition parties expected to hold 48 seats include Yashar, B'Yachad, Yisrael Beytenu, and Democrats. Coalition talks with Arab parties remain contentious, with some opposition leaders refusing to partner with them following 2023's Hamas attacks.
President Isaac Herzog urges coalition negotiations while warning against delegitimizing the voting process amid Qatari election interference allegations.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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