Netanyahu Bloc Loses Knesset Seats Despite Vote Increase Amid Record Arab Turnout
Translated & summarized from Cursorinfo by baba
Benjamin Netanyahu's political bloc gained 83,000 more votes than in the previous election but lost 11 Knesset seats due to record voter turnout, especially among Arab Israelis. The Likud party saw its vote share decrease despite an increase in votes. Shas party suffered significant losses, while other parties in Netanyahu's bloc saw gains. The "change bloc" and Arab parties substantially increased their representation.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc lost 11 Knesset seats despite gaining 83,000 more votes than in the prior election.
- Record voter turnout, particularly among Arab Israelis, significantly altered election mandate predictions.
- The Likud party's share of the vote decreased from 23.41% to 20.51% as overall turnout rose 19%.
- Shas party saw its vote share drop from 8.25% to 5.26%, losing 11 Knesset seats.
- The "change bloc" and Arab parties significantly strengthened their parliamentary representation.
- Netanyahu previously opposed a government led by the "change bloc" with Arab party support.
Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc of parties saw a significant increase in votes compared to the previous election but lost 11 seats in the Knesset, falling from 64 to 53 mandates. This outcome, reported by Ynet, was largely attributed to a record voter turnout, particularly among Arab Israelis, which reshaped the political landscape. Despite Netanyahu's bloc gaining 83,000 more votes than in the 2022 elections, its overall share of the vote decreased from 48.38% to 42.1%. The Likud party, led by Netanyahu, received 1,163,400 votes, an increase of approximately 48,000 votes from 2022. However, its share of the total vote dropped from 23.41% to 20.51%, as overall turnout surged by 19%.
The Shas party experienced the most substantial losses within Netanyahu's bloc, with its vote share falling from 8.25% to 5.26% and its Knesset seats decreasing from 11 to 6, losing about 95,000 votes. This decline may be linked to its firm stance on ultra-Orthodox exemption from military service. In contrast, United Torah Judaism gained approximately 31,700 votes, while Otzma Yehudit and Religious Zionism together added nearly 100,000 votes, suggesting a potential shift of former Shas voters. The "change bloc" and Arab parties significantly strengthened their positions, with all their lists surpassing the electoral threshold, unlike in the 2022 elections.
Netanyahu had previously expressed opposition to the formation of a government led by the "change bloc" with the support of Arab parties.
Mentioned
