Netanyahu Bloc Secures 53 Seats; 70 Incumbents Exit Knesset
Translated & summarized from Behadrei Haredim by baba
The final vote count for Israel's 26th Knesset elections shows Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc with 53 mandates and Benny Gantz's bloc with 48. Approximately 70 of the current 120 Knesset members will not return due to retirements, electoral failures, or primary defeats. Prominent figures like Benny Gantz, Moshe Gafni, and Merav Michaeli are among those exiting. The turnover is driven by primaries, voluntary retirements, and party shifts, leading to a new mix of representatives in the upcoming Knesset.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Netanyahu's bloc secured 53 mandates, while Gantz's bloc obtained 48 in the 26th Knesset elections.
- Around 70 of the current 120 Knesset members are not expected to return to parliament.
- Notable politicians like Benny Gantz and Merav Michaeli are among those exiting the Knesset.
- The high turnover is due to primaries, voluntary retirements, and party realignments.
- Arab parties collectively secured 19 mandates in the final vote count.
The final vote count for the 26th Knesset elections has concluded, revealing a significant shift in the parliament's composition. Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc secured 53 mandates, Benny Gantz's bloc obtained 48, and Arab parties garnered 19. Concurrently, approximately 70 of the current 120 Knesset members are not expected to return. This turnover is attributed to retirements, removal from party lists, uncompetitive placement on ballots, or parties failing to cross the electoral threshold.
Notable departures include former Defense Minister and Blue and White leader Benny Gantz, who withdrew his candidacy and exited politics. Moshe Gafni, a Knesset member since 1996, was effectively removed from the United Torah Judaism list. Merav Michaeli, former leader of the Labor Party, has also retired from politics. Ayman Odeh stepped down as head of Hadash, and Avi Maoz, the sole representative of Noam, is unlikely to return as his party did not approach the electoral threshold.
The Likud party, the largest faction in the outgoing Knesset, is also undergoing internal changes. Of its 32 incumbent members, 19 are not expected to return. Among them are Agriculture Minister Avi Dicter and former Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chairman Yuli Edelstein, who did not survive the party's primaries. Several other Likud members, including Galit Distel Atbaryan and Mai Golan, also failed to secure return seats.
Conversely, the Likud list is set to welcome back several former MKs, including Eli Cohen, Miri Regev, Yoav Kisch, and Mickey Zohar. Gideon Sa'ar, who previously left Likud to form his own party, is slated to return in the seventh position. Almog Cohen, who switched from Otzma Yehudit to Likud, is placed 13th.
Shas will see the departure of veteran representative Yaakov Margi, who retired at his request. Uri Maklev will not enter the Knesset for United Torah Judaism. The high turnover stems from a combination of factors, including primary elections that ousted incumbents, voluntary retirements, party realignments, and shrinking electoral strength. This results in a Knesset with many new faces or returning politicians replacing those identified with Israeli politics in recent years.
Mentioned
The same event, reported separately by each outlet. Open a few to compare what different newsrooms emphasize — and what they leave out.
Left 1Haredi 1Arab 1Other 1
Not the same event — other stories that share this one’s people, places, or theme: background, reactions, and follow-ups.
