Israel election at 72% counted: Netanyahu bloc reaches 54 seats

With 72.4% of ballot boxes counted in Israel's parliamentary election, Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc stood at 54 seats on Wednesday, 28 October, three fewer than DIAR's earlier report showed at 41.9% of the count. The bloc needs 61 of the Knesset's 120 seats to form a government.

According to results published by Israel's Central Elections Committee as of 11:33 Tehran time, the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot has 48 seats and the Arab parties 18. Likud is the largest party with 27 seats, and Eisenkot's Yashar party is second with 21. The Joint Arab List has 12 seats, Ra'am 6 and Naftali Bennett's party 11.

How the count moved on Wednesday morning

The Netanyahu bloc's tally changed several times during the morning: 55 seats at 10:30 Tehran time, 56 seats with 66.2% counted, and then 54 seats with 72.4% counted. The rise of the Arab parties from 16 to 18 seats did most to shift the numbers. Double-envelope ballots, including soldiers' votes, are counted later, and the results will change again. Three lists, including the reservists' party with 2.7%, remain below the 3.25% threshold.

Netanyahu and Eisenkot on the Islamic Republic

Speaking at Likud headquarters in Jerusalem early on Wednesday, Netanyahu said the Islamic Republic is weaker than ever and Israel stronger than ever. He said that alongside Donald Trump, Israel has a historic opportunity to remove the Islamic Republic's threat for good, and he called for a strong right-wing government.

In his remarks after the early count, Eisenkot did not mention the Islamic Republic. He called Netanyahu a caretaker prime minister without the necessary backing and trust, and urged him to step away from politics.

Israel's election took place as the United States has warned its Gulf allies about a new military operation against the Islamic Republic after the US midterm elections. The make-up of Israel's next government will directly affect the country's role in any such operation.

With three-quarters of the vote counted, Netanyahu's bloc is seven seats short of a Knesset majority, and soldiers' votes have yet to be counted.