Netanyahu and Eisenkot stall at 54 and 47 seats as Israel faces weeks of bargaining

Neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot secured a governing majority in the Israeli general election, according to partial official results and exit polls. The stalemate leaves the country without a clear mandate and sets up a protracted period of coalition building.

Approximately 4 million ballots, or 70% of the total, had been counted at the time of the latest reports. Netanyahu’s bloc holds 54 seats in the 120-seat Knesset, while Eisenkot’s Change bloc commands 47. Palestinian parties have claimed 19 seats. A stable government requires 61 seats, leaving both candidates short of the necessary threshold by a wide margin.

Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, stated he would construct a coalition by negotiating with his Likud party, far-right factions, and Jewish religious groups. Eisenkot, a former general, argued that voters favored change and suggested Netanyahu should announce his retirement from politics. His comments were made earlier in the evening as results began to crystallize.

The strong performance by Palestinian parties reflects record turnout among Israeli citizens of Palestinian origin, who comprise about 20% of the population. Julian Borger, reporting from Nazareth, noted that Eisenkot would need to cooperate with Arab-Israeli leaders to form a workable cabinet. Millions of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Gaza are not eligible to vote in this election.

The lack of a decisive winner introduces uncertainty into the political and economic environment. Investors and market analysts will watch the coming weeks to see which parties join each bloc, as the composition of the new government will influence fiscal policy and foreign relations. The delay in forming a cabinet may postpone key legislative agendas.

In other developments, US President Donald Trump announced his administration is terminating Biden-era rules that held oil and gas companies accountable for methane leaks. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates the proposal will save consumers and businesses $45 billion. The US emitted more methane from its oil and gas sector than any other country last year.

In Brazil, far-right senator Flávio Bolsonaro reportedly left the country for the United States after losing the presidential election to incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Allies said he plans to seek political asylum in Florida. Federal police are investigating him over a money-laundering scheme involving betting companies worth approximately $905 million. In Spain, at least 30 people died in a high-speed train collision south of Madrid, marking the second such disaster this year.