{
  "id": 17141569,
  "title": "Israel election: 100% of votes counted, Netanyahu bloc gets 53 seats; Likud emerges as largest party",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/israel-election-100-of-votes-counted-netanyahu-bloc-gets-53-seats",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-29T22:24:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/world/mena/israel-election-100-of-votes-counted-netanyahu-bloc-gets-53-seats-likud-emerges-as-largest-party-1.500728965"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Israel's election has concluded with official vote counting confirming that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party emerges as the largest political faction, but short of obtaining the 61 seats needed to form a majority government. According to the Central Elections Committee, Likud secured 53 seats, while the opposition party aiming to unseat the prime minister captured 48. Both sides are far from the required 61 seats, making Arab parties essential players in the subsequent coalition negotiations. The final tally, which included all remaining double-envelope ballots, confirmed Likud's lead with 27 seats, while other parties like United Torah Judaism, Otzma Yehudit, Shas, and the Religious Zionist Party each gained a share of six seats. Pre-election polls had predicted a different scenario, projecting fewer seats for Likud and stronger performances for certain allies. With neither side able to secure a majority on their own, the immediate focus is on coalition building and the prospect of a minority or unity government. Israeli President Isaac Herzog is tasked with consulting party leaders following the official announcement of the final results before nominating the candidate most likely to form a government. If the designated leader fails to assemble a coalition within the required timeframe, another contender may be chosen, or new elections may be called. The election has been marred by controversies alleging election interference and voter fraud. The Central Elections Committee has requested an investigation by the Shin Bet chief into claims that foreign entities attempted to influence voting trends within the Arab sector, albeit without finding any empirical evidence to support these allegations.",
  "summary": "Israel's final election vote count confirmed Prime Minister Netanyahu's bloc won 53 seats and the opposition won 48, leaving both short of a 61-seat majority. Attention now shifts to coalition talks, while election officials dismissed allegations of foreign interference and fraud.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 10,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Ynetnews",
        "title": "Netanyahu eyes former allies as Likud pushes for talks with Bennett and Liberman",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/netanyahu-eyes-former-allies-as-likud-pushes-for-talks-with-bennett",
        "published": "2026-10-28T17:00:32.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "DW News",
        "title": "Israeli election: Netanyahu, main rival fall short of majority after all votes counted",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/israeli-election-netanyahu-main-rival-fall-short-of-majority-after",
        "published": "2026-10-29T06:36:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Axios",
        "title": "After losing his majority, Netanyahu tries to delegitimize election results",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/after-losing-his-majority-netanyahu-tries-to-delegitimize-election",
        "published": "2026-10-29T17:46:19.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Jerusalem Post",
        "title": "Israel election results: Netanyahu's Likud biggest party in Israel after all votes counted",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/israel-election-results-netanyahus-likud-biggest-party-in-israel",
        "published": "2026-10-29T18:20:51.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Haaretz",
        "title": "'Likud has become like a cult': Voters who spoke to Haaretz foreshadowed Netanyahu's staying power",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/likud-has-become-like-a-cult-voters-who-spoke-to-haaretz-foreshadowed",
        "published": "2026-10-29T18:40:15.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC News",
        "title": "Israeli opposition accuses Netanyahu of trying to 'delegitimise' election",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/israeli-opposition-accuses-netanyahu-of-trying-to-delegitimise",
        "published": "2026-10-29T20:21:54.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Arutz Sheva - Israel National News",
        "title": "Netanyahu and Smotrich meet to coordinate next steps following election results",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/netanyahu-and-smotrich-meet-to-coordinate-next-steps-following",
        "published": "2026-10-29T21:41:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Israeli opposition accuses Netanyahu of trying to ‘delegitimise’ election",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/israeli-opposition-accuses-netanyahu-of-trying-to-delegitimise-17139035",
        "published": "2026-10-29T21:46:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News (US)",
        "title": "Israel election results: Netanyahu's bloc maintains lead but does not secure majority",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/israel-election-results-netanyahus-bloc-maintains-lead-but-does-not",
        "published": "2026-10-29T22:20:25.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}