Israel elections, Arab parties eye 18 seats as Netanyahu faces tight race

JERUSALEM: Israel’s parliamentary elections have produced an unexpectedly tight political contest, with Arab parties projected to secure a record 18 seats in the 120-member Knesset, potentially making them decisive players in determining the country’s next government.

Preliminary estimates reported by Arab media suggest that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc and the opposition alliance could each win 51 seats, leaving both sides short of the 61 seats required to secure a parliamentary majority. However, a more recent Israeli television analysis reportedly gave Netanyahu’s supporters a narrow three-seat advantage.

With vote counting still underway, the final outcome remains uncertain, and the balance of power could shift as additional results emerge.

According to the preliminary figures, turnout among Palestinian citizens of Israel reached approximately 80 per cent, while overall voter participation stood at 77.7 per cent. If confirmed, the overall turnout would be the highest since 1999.

Celebrations, including fireworks, were reported in Arab-majority communities following the vote, reflecting the significance of the strong participation among Arab voters.

Mansour Abbas, leader of the United Arab List, also known as Ra’am, expressed hope that the final results would give the anti-Netanyahu camp enough support to form a government.

Former Israeli ambassador Alon Pinkas reportedly said that forming a government without taking Arab parties into account would be difficult, highlighting their potential influence in the negotiations ahead.

The prospect of Arab parties gaining unprecedented representation has also intensified political tensions. Netanyahu expressed concern over increased voting among Arab citizens, drawing criticism from Arab politicians.

The outcome could have important implications for Israel’s domestic political direction, particularly if neither major bloc secures a clear majority. In that scenario, smaller parties and potential coalition partners could become crucial to government formation.

Meanwhile, vote counting continues, and reports indicate that it could take several days before the final results are confirmed.

Separately, a US newspaper report cited in the source material claimed that Washington was considering short but intense strikes against Iran after the US midterm elections. The report also suggested that Gulf countries had been warned to prepare for possible military developments.

According to the newspaper, diplomatic and military contacts indicated that the United States and Israel were preparing for the possibility of renewed military action against Iran. These reported plans remain separate from Israel’s election results, and no further confirmation was provided in the supplied report.

For now, Israel’s political future hinges on the final seat count, with Arab parties potentially holding the key to breaking the deadlock and deciding who governs next.