--- title: "Netanyahu Trails Rival in Israel's General Election Results" url: https://noti.group/netanyahu-trails-rival-in-israel-s-general-election-results/ language: en publisher: "Noti Group" section: "World News" published: 2026-10-28T16:59:47.000Z updated: 2026-10-28T20:28:56.591Z id: dddba17a-f36e-4db7-b6d5-95eb512d795d source: "BBC News World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmdx3knq1xexo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss" attribution: "Link to https://noti.group/netanyahu-trails-rival-in-israel-s-general-election-results/ and name Noti Group when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Netanyahu Trails Rival in Israel's General Election Results Preliminary data shows that Netanyahu's Likud party is leading but falling short of a majority, while Eisenkot's Yashar party and other opposition parties are closing the gap. Partial results from Israel's general election have revealed a close contest between veteran Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his rival, former military chief Gadi Eisenkot. According to preliminary data, Netanyahu's Likud party is leading the polls with its far-right and ultra-Orthodox Jewish allies expected to secure 53 seats in the 120-seat Knesset. However, this number falls short of a majority, leaving Netanyahu struggling to form a governing coalition. The electoral landscape remains fluid as votes from soldiers and diplomats are yet to be counted. In stark contrast, Eisenkot's Yashar party and three other Jewish opposition parties are on course for 48 seats. Both leaders have expressed their intention to form a government despite the uncertain outcome of the election. With no clear winner in sight, it is unclear which coalition will eventually emerge victorious. Arab-led parties are set to make significant gains with an unprecedented 19 seats up for grabs. This could potentially give them leverage as kingmakers in the post-election power struggle. However, all but one Jewish party have ruled out collaborating with Arab-led factions, leaving open the possibility of a minority government or another election. As the electoral process continues, President Isaac Herzog will hold consultations with all parties to determine which leader has the best chance of forming a stable government. This could take weeks, and if no solution is found, another election may be necessary to break the deadlock. The turnout in Israel's election was an impressive 77.7%, the highest in over two decades, according to initial reports. This significant participation is being hailed as a testament to the country's strong democratic spirit. Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid has already begun preparing for potential coalition talks after Tuesday's vote. He plans to meet with various factions next week once official results are announced. With both Netanyahu and Eisenkot insisting on forming a governing coalition, it remains unclear which path forward will be chosen. Both leaders have expressed confidence in their respective blocs' ability to secure a majority. As the situation unfolds, Israel's politicians are navigating complex negotiations to prevent a repeat of last year's election stalemate. The Likud party's headquarters in Jerusalem was abuzz with activity as Benjamin Netanyahu declared his right-wing bloc had secured a "great majority in the election results so far. Netanyahu emphasized that a strong national government with a clear majority is essential to prevent any potential threats to Israel's security and stability. He underscored that forming a coalition reliant on Arab parties would be catastrophic, stating it was forbidden" to put Israel at risk in such a manner. Meanwhile, the leader of the left-wing Democrats party has reached out to its partners in Eisenkot's bloc with an offer to form a new government in partnership with the Arab parties. This move aims to unseat Netanyahu's coalition and bring about change, according to Yair Golan, who emphasized that this opportunity should not be missed. The strong turnout among Arab Israelis is likely to result in record representation for the two major Arab parties - the United Arab List and the Joint List. These parties often describe themselves as Palestinian citizens of Israel, making up around a fifth of the population. The chairman of the Joint List has stated that his party is ready to play a crucial role in paving the way for the ousting of Netanyahu's government through a genuine Jewish-Arab partnership. Yousef Jabareen emphasized that such a partnership must be equal and not compromise on the principles of democracy and equality. Partial results from Tuesday's Israeli election indicate that Prime Minister Netanyahu's bloc is in the lead but still short of a majority in the 120-seat Knesset. The outcome has sparked hopes among Arab parties that they could hold significant sway over the balance of power in the new government, with United Arab List leader Mansour Abbas expressing optimism about the prospects for a governing coalition. Abbas and his party have been key players in previous negotiations and are seen as crucial to securing a majority. The election was closely watched due to its potential impact on Israel's future trajectory, particularly regarding the country's hardline stance on regional conflicts. Key issues that emerged during the campaign included accountability for security failures, conscription of ultra-Orthodox Jewish men into the military, judicial reforms and Israel's international standing - all highly contentious topics that could shape the nation's course. --- Source: [BBC News World](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmdx3knq1xexo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) Published by Noti Group: https://noti.group/netanyahu-trails-rival-in-israel-s-general-election-results/