Israel Election Results: Netanyahu Bloc Holds Steady as Votes Counted
Translated & summarized from NEWSru Israel by baba
Israel's Central Election Committee reported that over 91% of votes are counted, with Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc projected to win 53 seats and the opposition National Unity alliance 48. The distribution has remained stable in recent counts, with neither bloc reaching the 61 seats needed for a majority. Counting continues for "double envelope" ballots, which could affect the final results. Official results are expected by November 4, 2026.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Over 91% of votes counted show Netanyahu's bloc with 53 seats, opposition with 48, and Arab parties with 19.
- Neither major political bloc has secured the 61 seats needed for a parliamentary majority.
- Counting of "double envelope" ballots, including those from soldiers, is ongoing and may alter seat distribution.
- Miluimnikim ve'Kalkalit and Amcha Israel are currently below the 3.25% electoral threshold.
- Final official election results are scheduled to be published no later than November 4, 2026.
Israel's Central Election Committee released updated preliminary results early Thursday, October 29, showing that over 91.2% of votes have been tallied for the 26th Knesset. As of 6:56 AM, 5,191,912 votes were counted, with 5,168,955 deemed valid. The current distribution projects Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc of parties securing 53 seats, the opposition National Unity alliance led by Gadi Eisenkot obtaining 48 seats, and two Arab parties collectively winning 19 seats. This distribution remains unchanged from the previous reporting stage when approximately 91% of votes were processed.
The preliminary seat allocation based on vote counts and residual vote agreements shows the Likud party with 26 mandates, National Unity with 21, the Joint List with 11, and Bayahad with 12. Other parties projected to enter the Knesset include Democrats (8 seats), Ra'am (8 seats), Yisrael Beiteinu (7 seats), United Torah Judaism (7 seats), Shas (7 seats), and Otzma Yehudit (7 seats). Religious Zionism and Zehut together are projected to win 6 seats. A shift occurred overnight where Ra'am gained a seat from the Joint List, changing their projected totals from 7 and 12 to 8 and 11 respectively, a distribution that has since held.
Parties failing to cross the electoral threshold of 3.25% of valid votes include Miluimnikim ve'Kalkalit, with 2.63% of the vote, and Amcha Israel, with 1.60%. Any change in their vote share after the remaining ballots are counted could alter the seat distribution among the parties that have cleared the threshold.
The bloc supporting Netanyahu, comprising Likud, Shas, United Torah Judaism, Otzma Yehudit, and Religious Zionism, currently totals 53 seats. The four-party opposition agreement of National Unity, Bayahad, Yisrael Beiteinu, and Democrats holds 48 seats. The two Arab parties, the Joint List and Ra'am, together have 19 seats, bringing the total to 120 seats. Neither major bloc has reached the 61 seats required for a parliamentary majority.
Vote counting is ongoing for approximately 430,000 to 480,000 ballots cast in "double envelopes," which include votes from soldiers, individuals with disabilities, hospital patients, and prisoners. The Central Election Committee began processing these votes on Thursday morning, with results expected throughout the day and potentially into the evening. The inclusion of these votes could significantly impact the final seat allocation, particularly for parties close to the electoral threshold.
Final official results are due by November 4, 2026. The overall voter turnout for the October 27 election was 77.7%, with 5,695,682 people participating out of 7,331,981 eligible voters.
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