Israel election deadlock: Netanyahu loses majority as rival bloc also falls short

Israel's October 27 legislative elections produced a deadlock, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition winning 53 seats and the opposition bloc securing 48, leaving neither able to reach the 61-seat majority needed to form a government. Arab-Israeli parties won a combined 19 seats, complicating the outcome. Official results must be certified and presented to President Isaac Herzog by November 4, with the new Knesset sworn in on November 10. Herzog will then select a candidate to form a government, granting up to 42 days for the process, with a total deadline of around 100 days before new elections are triggered. Netanyahu's Likud party has accused Arab-Israeli groups of receiving foreign funding from Qatar to influence the vote, a claim denied by Raam leader Mansour Abbas and dismissed by Qatari officials. Israel's Shin Bet is investigating suspected irregularities but stressed the probe does not blame an entire sector.