Israeli Election Deadlock: Arab Bloc’s 19 Seats Force Coalition Dilemma
Israel’s October 27 parliamentary election resulted in a fragmented Knesset where neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc nor the opposition secured a majority. Netanyahu’s coalition holds 53 seats, while the opposition bloc has 48. Arab-led parties won a record 19 seats, giving the anti-Netanyahu camp a parliamentary majority of 67. However, opposition leaders have largely refused to ally with Arab parties, citing concerns over foreign interference and ideological differences, leaving the path to government formation uncertain.