As Israel’s election results reveal a closely contested race, U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed confidence in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s position, citing his own endorsement as a key factor in keeping Netanyahu competitive. Partial results show Netanyahu’s political bloc projected to win 53 seats, while the opposition, led by Gadi Eisenkot, is expected to secure 48 seats. Arab parties are projected to win 19 seats, leaving no bloc with a clear parliamentary majority.
Trump, referring to Netanyahu by his nickname “Bibi,” suggested that his support transformed what could have been a significant defeat into a tight contest, although he has not yet committed to engaging in Israel’s government formation efforts. With about 93% of ballots counted, approximately 500,000 votes remain to be tallied, including those from soldiers, diplomats, prisoners, and others voting outside their designated polling areas. These votes could influence the final seat distribution and the potential to form a stable government coalition.
Political negotiations are expected to follow as Israeli President Isaac Herzog plans to consult with political parties before assigning a mandate to a candidate to attempt forming the next government. Herzog has urged leaders to work towards avoiding another election. Netanyahu is likely to pursue a right-wing coalition, while Eisenkot may consider partnerships with Arab parties, though both strategies face challenges in achieving the necessary parliamentary support.
If no coalition is successfully formed, Israel risks heading into another election as early as April, during which Netanyahu could continue as caretaker prime minister. The outcome of these negotiations will determine whether Israel enters a period of political stability or continues to face uncertainty.