Israel vote leaves Netanyahu and Eisenkot short of 61-seat majority

Partial results from Israel’s parliamentary election showed no clear winner Wednesday, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leading rival Gadi Eisenkot in the official tally but neither camp on track for the 61 seats needed to govern. Opposition parties collectively drew more support than Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc, pointing to a fractured Knesset and likely coalition deadlock. Turnout exceeded 77%, the highest in more than two decades, in Israel’s first election since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack and the war in Gaza. Two Arab-led factions, Raam and the Joint List, could emerge as kingmakers, though both major camps have resisted partnering with them.