Israel’s Election Deadlock Opens the Door to Another Iran Offensive

Netanyahu's bloc fell eight seats short of a Knesset majority on October 27, winning 53 of 120 seats to 48 for Gadi Eisenkot's camp. The Arab parties took a record 19 on turnout of about 80% in Arab communities, up from 54% in 2022. Netanyahu will stay on as caretaker PM until a new government is sworn in.

As leader of the largest party Likud with 27 seats, he is also the most likely recipient of President Herzog's first mandate to form a government, which runs 28 days and can be extended by 14. Netanyahu and Likud have spent the days since the vote claiming the election was stolen, which is a ploy to block the one coalition that could replace him.