In Israel, almost all votes were counted in Tuesday’s elections. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies emerged as the largest bloc, but lost seats and fell short of the majority needed to form a government. The results face Israel with the prospect of political impasse. Nick Schifrin reports from Tel Aviv.
Geoff Bennett:
In Israel, almost all votes were counted in yesterday’s elections. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies emerged as the largest bloc, but lost seats and fell short of the majority needed to form a new government. The results face Israel with the prospect of political impasse.
Nick Schifrin joins us now from Tel Aviv.
So, Nick, last night the opposition bloc was leading in the exit polls. Now that the votes have been counted, where does the party stand?
Nick Schifrin:
Well, you’re right, Geoff.
The polls essentially reversed the final results. As you said, Netanyahu’s Likud party won the most seats of any party, and his coalition also won the most seats, although, as you pointed out, it lost its majority.
Today, with the vast majority of votes counted, Netanyahu’s bloc has 53 seats, well short of the 61 it needs to secure a majority in Parliament or the Knesset, but more than the 48 seats won by the opposition Change bloc. One of the most significant results of these elections are the 19 seats won so far by Arab parties.
They are also anti-Netanyahu. So one could conclude that the majority of the country has rejected the current government, but that is not how Israeli politics works. It’s Netanyahu’s coalition that has the most votes, which means that, for now, not only do we have weeks of negotiations left, but there is no clear direction that the country has chosen to take, even though, Geoff, voters on all sides have told us that the country is at a crossroads.
Geoff Bennett:
And what are the scenarios, Nick, for what might happen next?
Nick Schifrin:
So, next week, the Israeli president will invite one of the blocs to try to form a majority government. As for Netanyahu, he will have to persuade one of Eisenkot’s coalition partners to defect. But a Netanyahu official told me today that they consider that impossible.
Or he could form what is called a unity government with Eisenkot. This has been done before, especially in times of war. But Eisenkot and all his allies ruled out this possibility. They are vehemently anti-Netanyahu.
Today, Eisenkot has his own way. Note again, the Change bloc in blue and the Arab parties in green combined number more than 61 and could form a government together. But Israelis have been reluctant that Jewish parties need Arab parties to be part of the ruling coalition, especially after October 7, and Eisenkot calls his coalition – quote – “Zionist.”
But we will see what happens because there is a technical way for these Arab parties to support Eisenkot from the outside.
As for Netanyahu today, his campaign accused Arab voters of — quote — “stealing the election,” an allegation to which police responded by saying there was no investigative evidence for the claims. And last night, Netanyahu called for the exclusion of Arab parties.
Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister (through interpreter):
We must form a strong right-wing national government. This is what needs to be done. We must not endanger Israel and establish a government supported by anti-Zionist Arab parties.
Nick Schifrin:
Finally, Geoff, the fourth scenario, and perhaps the most likely at this point, which many Israelis don’t want, neither side manages to form a government or neither side succeeds in forming a government, and Israel heads toward more elections.
Geoff Bennett:
And what could all this mean for Netanyahu and his political future, Nick?
Nick Schifrin:
Well, Netanyahu remains prime minister, even though he is supposed to act with restraint.
But analysts say he could choose to commit the country to war. A US official confirms to me that Netanyahu pushed to attack Iran before the Israeli elections. Israeli defense officials have also said so, leading to this extraordinary warning last night from Gadi Eisenkot.
Gadi Eisenkot, candidate for Israeli prime minister (through interpreter):
I call on the heads of the security services and civil service to remember that you only serve the state and the interests of Israeli citizens. Stand firm against any attempt to challenge you. Netanyahu, don’t you dare use Israel’s security for your own political needs.
Nick Schifrin:
Today, U.S. officials also said, including President Trump in public, that the United States may resume war against Iran after the U.S. midterm elections. And that would probably give Netanyahu more leverage as these coalition talks unfold, which shows, whatever happens, Geoff, whether Netanyahu is able to form the coalition or not, we’re still in a country dominated by Netanyahu and the inability of the opposition to sell the idea of a post-Netanyahu Israel to the majority of the country.
Geoff Bennett:
Nick Schifrin is once again reporting from Tel Aviv.
Nick, our thanks to you.
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