Netenyahu's Likud party alleges interference and fraud in Israel's election

Netanyahu and Likud allege that the election was stolen through serious criminal interference. Their claims target Arab-led parties and alleged foreign funding or involvement. The accusations matter because they challenge the legitimacy of an election that left Netanyahu’s bloc without a parliamentary majority.

Likud listed bribery, threats, violence, forgeries, and prohibited software used to mobilise voters. Netanyahu also questioned why Ahmad Tibi visited Qatar four days before voting. However, neither Netanyahu nor his allies has publicly produced evidence proving those allegations or showing systematic fraud.

Israel’s Central Election Commission asked the Shin Bet to investigate alleged foreign interference. The commission’s request reportedly did not specifically accuse Arab-led parties, and it said there was no known basis for claims of systematic violations. Qatar denied interference, calling the accusations “ridiculous and dangerous.”

The Knesset is Israel’s national parliament. Its 120 seats represent the elected legislature. The number matters because a government needs support from at least 61 members to hold a majority. That gives it more seats than all other members combined.

A majority provides the parliamentary backing needed to approve legislation, budgets, and other government measures. It also makes a government more stable during confidence votes and coalition disagreements. Netanyahu’s bloc was projected to win 53 seats, so it did not reach the 61-seat threshold.

The shortfall means Netanyahu cannot form a majority government through his bloc alone. Other parties would need to join him or support his government. The result also gives Arab-led parties, projected to hold 19 seats, potential leverage over whether a government without Netanyahu can be formed.

With around 90% of votes counted, the main projected blocs showed a fragmented result. Netanyahu’s bloc had 53 seats. The opposition led by Gadi Eisenkot had 48. Arab-led parties had 19. These figures explain why no side appeared able to govern alone.

The key gap was Netanyahu’s distance from the majority line. The Knesset has 120 seats, and 61 are needed to command a majority. At 53 seats, Netanyahu’s bloc was eight seats short. The opposition also lacked enough seats to govern without partners.

The final count was expected on Thursday evening, while official results were due to be certified by 4 November. The numbers could determine which bloc gains support from Arab-led parties. President Isaac Herzog will then decide whom to ask to try forming a government.

Arab-led parties could become decisive because neither main camp reached the 61-seat majority needed to govern. Their projected 19 seats give them enough parliamentary weight to help one side cross that threshold. This makes the Arab vote central to coalition negotiations.

The election recorded unusually high participation by Arab citizens of Israel. Many are descendants of Palestinians who remained after Israel’s creation in 1948. The campaign had repeatedly portrayed Arab-led parties as a threat, especially by Netanyahu and his far-right allies. Their electoral gains therefore changed the balance of power.

The Joint List rejected Netanyahu’s accusations and said his camp was trying to delegitimise the Arab vote. Ra’am leader Mansour Abbas welcomed an investigation but denied any connection to wrongdoing. The next government may depend on whether Arab-led parties support, join, or otherwise enable a coalition without Netanyahu.

Two institutions are central to checking the allegations. Israel’s Central Election Commission oversees election administration and asked the Shin Bet security service to investigate alleged foreign interference. The Shin Bet is therefore responsible for examining the security-related claims referred to it.

The commission’s request reportedly did not specifically accuse Arab-led parties of wrongdoing. The commission also said there was no basis, to its knowledge, for claims of systematic violations of election integrity. This is important because Netanyahu and Likud made broad accusations without publicly presenting supporting evidence.

The investigation request does not establish that interference occurred. Qatar denied interfering, and Arab-led parties rejected the allegations. President Isaac Herzog called for a full investigation while warning against stigmatising Israel’s entire Arab community. The inquiry could clarify whether any offence occurred, but the article gives no finding yet.

After the official results are certified, President Herzog will choose someone to try to form a government. That person must build a coalition with enough parliamentary support. Since no bloc has 61 seats, negotiations will be necessary before a government can take office.

The projected numbers show why talks may be difficult. Netanyahu’s bloc had 53 seats, while the opposition had 48 and Arab-led parties had 19. Parties must decide whether to join a coalition, support it from outside, or refuse cooperation. Disputes over Netanyahu and the role of Arab-led parties could complicate those choices.

If several attempts fail, Israel could hold another election early next year. The next Knesset is due to be sworn in on 10 November, while official results are due by 4 November. Possible renewed Israeli or US strikes on Iran could further complicate coalition negotiations before then.

Under proportional representation, parties win parliamentary seats broadly according to their share of the vote rather than one party taking every seat in a district. This allows several parties to enter the Knesset. It also means the 120-seat chamber is often divided among multiple political groups.

Because a single party or bloc may not reach 61 seats, parties negotiate to form a coalition. Partners combine their seats and agree to support a government. In this election, Netanyahu’s bloc was projected at 53 seats, while the opposition had 48 and Arab-led parties had 19. None could govern alone on those figures.

This structure makes smaller parties potentially influential. Arab-led parties could help determine whether a government without Netanyahu is formed. If negotiations fail after several attempts, the country could face another election early next year. The article does not describe the electoral system in further detail.