Israel Certifies Election, Rejecting Netanyahu’s Fraud Claims as Eisenkot Nears Coalition Mandate

Key points

• The Central Elections Committee confirmed the final results of the October 27 vote, stating that no evidence of irregularities compromised the election's integrity.
• Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara blocked a demand from the Shin Bet security service to interrogate senior politicians from Palestinian-led parties, citing a lack of evidence of wrongdoing.
• President Isaac Herzog condemned racist attacks on Palestinian citizens who voted at historic rates and is expected to task Gadi Eisenkot with forming a new government.
• Netanyahu’s coalition lost its governing majority, while Eisenkot secured support from Jewish opposition parties and is expected to receive backing from Palestinian-led parties focused on removing Netanyahu.
• Shin Bet chief David Zini, appointed by Netanyahu, had sought to classify the investigation as a security file to allow harsher interrogation conditions, a move opposed by the attorney general.

Background

Previous coverage indicated that the October 27 election resulted in a deadlock, with Netanyahu’s bloc winning 53 seats and the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot winning 48. Neither side achieved the 61 seats required to govern alone, making the 19 seats won by Arab-led parties crucial for coalition formation. Netanyahu’s Likud party had alleged that Arab-led parties received illegal funding from Qatar to influence the outcome, a claim Qatar denied. Internal security agencies were divided on the scope of the investigation, but officials maintained that even if foreign interference were proven, it would not undermine the overall integrity of the vote. The current certification marks the formal end of the dispute over the validity of the results, shifting focus to coalition negotiations.

Why it matters

The certification of the election results resolves a constitutional crisis that threatened to delay the formation of a new government in Israel. By rejecting fraud claims, the Central Elections Committee upheld the legitimacy of the democratic process and prevented the weaponization of security forces against political opponents. This decision enables President Herzog to proceed with coalition negotiations, likely leading to a government led by Gadi Eisenkot, who has broad support from opposition parties. It also signals a rejection of the narrative that Palestinian citizens’ high voter turnout was illegitimate, reinforcing the rule of law and the principle that elected officials cannot be interrogated without evidence. The outcome may influence future political dynamics, as it sets a precedent for handling disputes over election integrity and the role of security services in domestic politics.

What to watch

President Isaac Herzog is expected to formally task Gadi Eisenkot with forming a coalition government as early as Thursday evening. Eisenkot will begin negotiations with various parties, including Palestinian-led groups, to secure the 61 seats needed to govern. These negotiations could take weeks, and Eisenkot has warned of ongoing attempts to undermine trust in the election results. The Shin Bet investigation into alleged foreign interference may continue, but officials have stated it will not affect the certification of the results or the formation of the new government. Netanyahu’s coalition is likely to enter opposition, and the political landscape will shift as new alliances are forged.