In Israel, Netanyahu’s allegations of election fraud by Arab parties were rejected by the Central Elections Committee, which said an audit of 9,069 polling stations showed the October 27 results accurately reflect the will of the voters. The panel stated that all complaints from political factions had been reviewed and that nothing indicated harm to the integrity of the election.
President Isaac Herzog was due at noon (1000 GMT) to formally receive those results and begin choosing whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or his rival, former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, gets the first chance to form a government. Neither side alone holds a majority.
Why the fraud claims were rejected
Netanyahu has repeatedly alleged fraud by Arab-majority parties, citing arrests of several people with envelopes of cash on election day and later claims that lawmakers received money from Qatar—claims that have also been levelled at his own aides in the past. The elections body said its review of complaints found no basis to treat the vote as compromised.
Late on Tuesday, Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara said she would not question anyone without evidence after reports that the head of Shin Bet—the domestic security service, described as a Netanyahu ally—had sought to interrogate Arab parties. Netanyahu’s Likud party accused her of trying to “obstruct the investigation and to cover up this serious case of manipulation of the electoral process by foreign actors.” Eisenkot accused Likud of attempting a “pogrom against democracy.”
Seat arithmetic and who forms the next government
Israel’s parliament has 120 seats; 61 are needed for a majority. Netanyahu’s bloc has 53 seats and Eisenkot’s has 48. Arab-minority parties’ seat count rose to 19, driven by anger at the actions and rhetoric of Netanyahu’s government, and those parties could help Eisenkot reach a majority—though some in the opposition have resisted relying on non-Jewish lawmakers’ votes.
Yousef Jabareen, head of the largest Arab-majority party in the next parliament, said this week that the opposition needed to accept “political reality” and team up to remove Netanyahu. Netanyahu has warned Jewish Israelis that the opposition will work with Arab parties, which he accuses of backing Hamas.
Herzog’s role as head of state is largely ceremonial, but he decides who first tries to become prime minister. After receiving the results he begins two days of consultations with parties, starting with the smaller ones. Once tasked, a nominee has 28 days to form a government, with a possible 14-day extension. If that fails, Herzog can give the mandate to someone else; if that also fails, a majority of lawmakers could nominate someone within 21 days—or Israel heads to new elections. Herzog has said he wants “fresh thinking” and to avoid another vote.
Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, has called for a “broad national government” with himself at the top. Former prime minister Yair Lapid argued that Shin Bet “outbursts” and recent US midterm results in which Democrats beat Trump’s Republicans “eliminate any possibility of a unity government led by Netanyahu.” Eisenkot had also warned Netanyahu against launching a new war with US President Donald Trump against Iran as a way to push for unity rule or delay until fresh elections.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- 2019–2022: Israel held five elections amid repeated deadlocks.
- November 2022: Netanyahu formed a government 58 days after that election, when Likud had a stronger showing.
- October 27: Israelis voted in the latest election; neither Netanyahu nor Eisenkot secured 61 seats alone.
- Late Tuesday: The attorney general said she would not interrogate anyone without evidence amid reported Shin Bet pressure on Arab parties.
- Wednesday: The Central Elections Committee rejected fraud complaints after auditing 9,069 stations; Herzog was set to receive results at noon and start consultations.
Netanyahu faces corruption charges and the risk of jail if he loses power and the immunity that comes with it. Coalition talks could last weeks or months and may still end in failure and another election.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Israel ke election commission ne Netanyahu ke fraud ke ilzamon ko kharij kar diya hai. Unhone kaha ke vote sahi hue hain aur 9,069 polling stations check kiye gaye. Ab President Herzog yeh faisla karega ke pehle Netanyahu ya unke rival Eisenkot ko hukumat banane ka mauqa mile. Aam logon ke liye seedhi baat yeh hai ke Israel mein naya government kab banti hai abhi clear nahi—yeh process hafte ya mahine chal sakta hai.
