Likud Tops Israeli Vote as Netanyahu Faces No Clear Path to 61-Seat Majority
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Oct 29
Likud Tops Israeli Vote as Netanyahu Faces No Clear Path to 61-Seat Majority
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Oct 29
Summary
Initial results showed Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud finishing ahead of every other party, even though neither his bloc nor the opposition appeared to have a clear route to a governing majority.
That stronger-than-expected showing came despite public anger over the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack, fatigue with Netanyahu’s four years in office and resentment over ultra-Orthodox military exemptions.
Gadi Eisenkot’s opposition had entered Tuesday’s election leading in polls and aiming for an outright majority based only on predominantly Jewish parties, but the outcome left that strategy short.
Opposition leaders now face a choice between joining Netanyahu in a unity government that sidelines some extremist allies or trying to govern with support from predominantly Arab parties long treated as politically unacceptable.