Netanyahu’s party claims election ‘stolen’ as results show him losing majority

Calling the election “stolen” means Likud is alleging that wrongdoing or foreign interference changed the result. The party offered no evidence, and officials said the claims were unfounded. This language challenges the vote’s legitimacy and may discourage opponents from working with Arab parties.

After exit polls showed Netanyahu’s setback, Likud said the elections had been stolen. It claimed interference aimed to enable a foreign takeover, “Islamisation,” and the fall of the right-wing government. The election committee said it had received serious suspicions but could not verify them. Qatar denied involvement, calling the claims ridiculous and dangerous.

The count is complete: Netanyahu’s bloc won 53 seats, opponents won 48, and Arab-led parties won 19 in the 120-seat Knesset. The investigation does not alter the results, which still require certification by November 4. The claim therefore reflects a political effort to cast doubt on the outcome and potentially block a rival coalition.

The 120-seat Knesset is Israel’s parliament. Election results showed three blocs with no majority. Netanyahu’s bloc won 53 seats, while the opposition won 48 and Arab-led parties won 19.

These numbers show why no side could govern alone. A majority requires 61 seats, but Netanyahu’s bloc fell eight seats short. At its previous peak, his bloc controlled 68 seats, making the decline especially significant. The opposition could potentially reach a majority by partnering with Arab-led parties, though that alliance would be politically risky.

The count was complete, but officials still needed to certify the results. The figures were to go to Israel’s president, with certification required by November 4. Until then, the 53–48–19 split left coalition talks unresolved and made Arab-party support potentially decisive.

Netanyahu’s bloc lost its majority because a majority in Israel’s 120-seat Knesset requires at least 61 seats. Its 53 seats fall eight short, so it cannot form a government alone.

Previously, his religious and nationalist allies controlled 68 seats at their peak. The election result reduced that bloc to 53, while his main opposition won 48 and Arab-led parties won 19. A majority depends on partners, not simply on having the largest bloc. To govern, parties generally need backing from at least 61 lawmakers.

That leaves no side with enough seats independently. The opposition could potentially reach a majority by working with Arab-led parties, but the article describes that alliance as rare and politically risky. Results still required certification and submission to the president by November 4. Until then, negotiations determine whether Netanyahu remains able to form a coalition or opponents can replace him through a coalition agreement in parliament.

Likud alleged that Arab-led parties had “stolen” the election, possibly with foreign assistance. It claimed the interference sought a foreign takeover, Israel’s “Islamisation,” and the fall of the right-wing government.

Election committee chief Noam Sohlberg said serious suspicions of foreign interference had reached him. He could not verify them, but asked Shin Bet, Israel’s security agency, to investigate. Likud members reportedly blamed Qatar, which denied involvement and called the allegations “ridiculous and dangerous.”

The committee said the inquiry relied on classified intelligence but warned that surrounding reports were unfounded. It also said the probe would not affect final results or target any population group. Shin Bet said it was not casting suspicion on voters, while the committee called systematic violations baseless. Results showed 53 seats for Netanyahu’s bloc, 48 for his main opposition, and 19 for Arab-led parties. Officials sought findings within the week; certification was required by November 4.

An alliance could give Netanyahu’s opponents enough parliamentary support to pass the 61-seat majority threshold. It would combine parties opposing his bloc with Arab-led parties, making a government possible without Likud.

The reported numbers show the arithmetic clearly: opposition parties held 48 seats, while Arab-led parties held 19. Together, they could command 67 seats, six more than the 61 needed in the 120-seat Knesset. Their support could let Gadi Eisenkot seek backing to form a government and replace Netanyahu.

This was only a possibility, not an agreement. Netanyahu called cooperation with Arab parties treasonous, and forming such a coalition would be politically risky. The results still required certification after the vote. The election committee said Netanyahu’s bloc had 53 seats, leaving no side with a majority alone.

Joining forces would give opponents a parliamentary path to replace Netanyahu, but it would cross Israel’s deepest political divide. Jewish-led opposition parties could face accusations of betraying Israel, while Arab parties could be portrayed as foreign-backed or dangerous.

Netanyahu suggested that Gadi Eisenkot joining Arab parties would be treasonous. Likud also claimed, without evidence, that alleged interference aimed at Israel’s Islamisation and a foreign takeover. These attacks could delegitimise the coalition and pressure its members.

The arithmetic makes cooperation powerful. Netanyahu’s bloc won 53 seats, the main opposition won 48, and Arab-led parties won 19. Together, opposition and Arab parties would hold 67 seats, enough for a majority. However, they would still need to overcome ideological differences and public hostility. Arab citizens make up 20 percent of Israel’s population and are often viewed with suspicion because of Palestinian sympathies.

In a parliamentary system, voters elect lawmakers, not a president who automatically governs alone. A leader stays in office while lawmakers decide whether a new coalition can command most seats.

Israel’s Knesset has 120 seats, so a government normally needs support from at least 61. Netanyahu’s bloc won 53, while his main opposition won 48 and Arab-led parties won 19. No side had a majority, so Netanyahu could remain temporarily while parties negotiated. Parliament could still replace his government if a rival coalition won enough support.

The article says opposition parties could unite with Arab parties, creating a majority and removing Netanyahu. Results still needed certification and submission to the president, required by November 4. Until then, the election outcome sets bargaining power, not necessarily the next government.