Israel Election: Netanyahu, Eisenkot Tied as Arab Parties Surge — SkimNews
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- Benjamin Netanyahu led a right-wing bloc in a deadlocked election, with exit polls showing his alliance tied with the opposition and unable to form a government without Arab parties.
- Gadi Eisenkot declared victory despite no official win, stating the public demanded change and urging security officials to resist political manipulation by Netanyahu during the transition.
- Arab parties, including Raam and the Joint List, are projected to win up to 18 seats — their strongest showing ever — potentially making them kingmakers in coalition negotiations.
- Mansour Abbas said Arab voters transformed frustration into hope, emphasizing his priority is forming a government that replaces Netanyahu, though cooperation remains politically fraught.
- Bezalel Smotrich dismissed Arab parties as illegitimate, claiming they failed to condemn the October 7 Hamas attack, reinforcing right-wing resistance to their inclusion in any coalition.
- Naftali Bennett accused Netanyahu of responsibility for the October 7 security failure, declaring the prime minister had lost the election in a fiery post-vote address.
Why it matters: The election outcome shifts power to Arab parties for the first time at this scale, making them pivotal in government formation. With both major blocs dependent on their support but resistant to it, coalition talks face unprecedented hurdles, risking prolonged political deadlock in a time of national security tension.
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