Arab Parties Secure 19 Seats in Israeli Election Results

Final results from 100% of votes cast in the Israeli election, excluding double envelopes, show Prime Minister Netanyahu's bloc securing 53 seats and that of candidate Eisenkot obtaining 48 seats. Arab parties collectively won 19 seats. The preliminary results indicate the Likud party received 26 seats, Yisrael Beiteinu 7, and the United Arab List 7. The Hadash-Ta'al list garnered 12 seats, and the Joint List 12 seats. The election saw a 77.7% voter turnout, the highest in over two decades and seven percentage points higher than the 2022 election. Speaking from the Likud headquarters in Jerusalem, Netanyahu highlighted Israel's military successes and suggested the possibility of resuming joint operations against Iran with President Donald Trump. He stated, "A unique historical opportunity is emerging for Israel, in cooperation with our partner President Trump, to definitively eliminate the existential Iranian threat. But hidden motives should not stand between us and this sacred mission."

Earlier, Eisenkot had cautioned Netanyahu against using Israel's security for political purposes. Eisenkot declared, "Netanyahu is a caretaker prime minister, without a mandate or the people's trust," and urged the security establishment to "stand against" any attempt to prioritize political interests over Israel's security.