Netanyahu and Eisenkot Fail to Secure Majority in Israel
Exit polls show 54 seats for the PM and 47 for the opposition, forcing weeks of coalition negotiations.
By Nour Haddad ·
Neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot holds a governing majority in Israel following Tuesday's election, according to exit polls and partial official results. With approximately 70% of ballots counted, a total of roughly 4 million votes, Netanyahu’s bloc stands at 54 seats while Eisenkot’s Change bloc holds 47. A coalition requires 61 seats in the 120-seat parliament to command a majority.
The result sets the stage for a prolonged period of political bargaining. Netanyahu, the country's longest-serving prime minister, vowed to form a government through agreements with his Likud party, far-right factions, and Jewish religious parties. Eisenkot rejected the outcome, stating that citizens decided in favor of change. He argued that Netanyahu should announce his retirement from politics rather than seek to retain power.
Palestinian parties secured 19 seats, reflecting record turnout among Israeli citizens of Palestinian origin. This demographic constitutes about 20% of the population. Julian Borger of The Guardian, reporting from Nazareth, noted that Eisenkot would need to negotiate with Arab-Israeli leaders to form a viable government. Millions of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Gaza were not eligible to vote in this election.
In the United States, President Donald Trump announced that his administration is terminating rules from the Biden era that held oil and gas companies accountable for large methane leaks. The Environmental Protection Agency projects the proposal will save consumers and businesses $45 billion. The US emitted more methane from its oil and gas sector last year than any other country, and the gas contributes to at least a quarter of current global warming.
Brazilian far-right senator Flavio Bolsonaro reportedly left the country for the United States after losing Sunday's presidential election to incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Allies told news website Metropoles that Bolsonaro would land in Florida and seek political asylum. Federal police are investigating him for possible involvement in a money-laundering scheme worth approximately $905 million involving betting companies. Lula described the departure as shameful.
In Spain, regional authorities confirmed at least 30 people died in a collision between high-speed trains south of Madrid. This incident marks the country's second such disaster this year, following a January crash in the south that killed 46 people.
A local ceasefire in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Oleshky appeared to hold as both sides halted drone attacks. An evacuation of about 2,000 trapped civilians is expected. Witnesses reported the frontline across the river was quiet for the first time in four years. Separately, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store held a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which they described as frank and substantive. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia must stop dragging out the war.
