US President Donald Trump has expressed confidence in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s electoral prospects following partial election results that indicate a tight race. Trump attributed Netanyahu’s strong position to his own endorsement, which he claimed turned the election from a likely defeat into a close contest.
With approximately 93% of the votes counted, Netanyahu’s political bloc is projected to secure 53 seats, while the opposition alliance led by Gadi Eisenkot is expected to win 48 seats. Arab parties are projected to gain 19 seats. Neither side appears likely to achieve the 61 seats necessary for a parliamentary majority, leaving the formation of a stable government uncertain.
Approximately 500,000 ballots remain to be counted, including those from soldiers, diplomats, prisoners, and voters outside their designated polling areas. These votes could impact the final seat distribution, but the path to a governing coalition remains unclear.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog is set to consult with political parties before assigning a mandate to a candidate to form the next government. Herzog has urged leaders to avoid another election, emphasizing the importance of forming a stable coalition. Netanyahu is expected to pursue a right-wing coalition, while Eisenkot may consider cooperation with Arab parties, though both strategies face potential obstacles in securing sufficient support.
If neither bloc succeeds in forming a government, Israel could face another election as early as April. In the interim, Netanyahu could continue as caretaker prime minister while political negotiations unfold.