Explainer

Can any bloc reach 61 seats in Israel's election?

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Israel's Knesset has 120 seats, and any government needs 61 for a majority. In the outgoing Knesset, Netanyahu's government held 60 seats, while the opposition had 59. Polls suggest neither side reaches 61, even with partners.

Polls: neither reaches 61

120

= 1 seat

  • Netanyahu bloc60
  • Opposition59

Majority: 61

Most leading Jewish parties, Eisenkot's included, have ruled out governing with the Arab lists. The Supreme Court overturned a ban on them, and polls suggest they could be kingmakers. Arkan Badran, handing out leaflets in Nazareth, says: "I see it as our duty to bring down this extremist government."

“I see it as our duty to bring down this extremist government.”

Arkan Badran

This is Israel's first general election since the Hamas-led attacks of 7 October 2023. The vote is Tuesday, 27 October. Coalition talks could take weeks or even months, and if no bloc forms a majority, new elections will follow.

From war to the ballot box
  1. 7 October 2023Hamas-led attacks
  2. 27 October 2026Coming upIsrael votes

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The story

Eisenkot's bloc leads Netanyahu's in two Israeli polls, but neither reaches 61 seatsRead the article

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