Israel's election leaves no bloc with a majority as Eisenkot claims victory

No camp has a majority

Israel has voted, and early projections leave neither bloc with a governing majority. Likud, the party of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is expected to become the strongest force according to first projections. Gadi Eisenkot has nonetheless declared himself the winner and announced a new government. Both men have already formulated a mandate to govern, but neither can currently build a coalition. The two camps are of similar size, which points to a long search for a majority in parliament.

Eisenkot's appeal to the security services

Speaking to his supporters on election night, after the first projections, Eisenkot called Netanyahu a "caretaker prime minister" without a mandate or public trust. Eisenkot, a reserve general who served as Israel's chief of general staff from 2015 to 2019, then addressed the heads of the security apparatus and the civil service directly. He urged them to resist any pressure placed on them, and he told them what he expected of them.

“Remember that you serve only the state and the interests of Israeli citizens.”

He then turned to Netanyahu and warned him against using Israel's security for his political purposes.

Speculation over a renewed Iran war

Speculation has circulated in Israel and the United States for weeks that Netanyahu could extend the conflict with Iran to postpone the election or to form a unity government with himself as prime minister. The speculation grew after Netanyahu posted a video on X on Sunday, 25 October, threatening Iran with new attacks. In the clip he said:

“Israel's armed forces are ready for both defense and attack.”

Several Israeli media outlets reported that Netanyahu is trying to persuade chief of staff Eyal Zamir and US President Donald Trump to resume airstrikes on Iran, and that Zamir firmly refuses. WELT reports that Israel's high command sees no change in the conflict with Iran that would point to an imminent Iranian attack requiring a pre-emptive response.

Palestinians watch from the West Bank

Palestinians in the occupied West Bank live largely under Israeli control, yet they cannot vote in the Israeli election. Israel's government has established eight new settlements around the city of Hebron in the occupied territory.