Netanyahu's bloc loses majority as Arab parties hit record 19 seats in Israel

Arab-led parties secured 19 seats in Tuesday's Israeli elections, a historic high that has complicated the path to a new government.

The final results released early Friday confirmed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc won 53 of the 120 seats in the Knesset. The main opposition bloc took 48 seats. Neither group holds the 61 votes needed to form a government on its own.

Netanyahu, who remains the country's longest-serving prime minister, still holds the initial advantage. President Isaac Herzog must certify the results and submit them to the head of state next Wednesday. Herzog will then task a candidate with forming a cabinet. That role typically goes to the leader of the largest party, though party leaders can propose other figures.

Negotiations will be difficult. The opposition must decide whether to partner with the Arab-led parties or join forces with Netanyahu in a unity government. Centrist politician Yair Lapid said on X that the hard part has begun and asked Israelis for patience. Netanyahu has publicly opposed coalitions with Arab parties, calling it forbidden to form such an alliance.

Tensions rose before the final results were announced. Netanyahu and his Likud party repeated allegations that Arab-led parties stole the vote with foreign help. The opposition accused him of demonizing the Arab population, which makes up 20% of the country and turned out in large numbers in protest against his far-right allies. National security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's party lost seats in this election.

Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg, head of the election committee, told the Shin Bet security agency that serious suspicions of foreign interference had been raised. Sohlberg said he could not verify the claims himself but requested an investigation. Israeli media reported that Likud members pointed to Qatar as a potential backer. Qatar denied the claims, calling them ridiculous and dangerous.

The election committee stated that the investigation was based on classified intelligence. Acting director general Dean Livne warned that media reports about the probe were entirely unfounded. He said the investigation does not affect the final results nor concern any specific population sector. The committee wants the Shin Bet's findings within one week.

The new Knesset is expected to be sworn in on Nov. 10. Once it convenes, opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot's bloc could join with Arab parties to elect a new speaker. That move would give them control over the parliamentary agenda. If multiple attempts to form a government fail, Israel faces another election early next year. Herzog said he will do everything in his power to avoid that outcome.