Israeli Arab parties gain record seats, reshaping coalition talks

Palestinian citizens of Israel voted in record numbers in last month's election, helping strip Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's far-right government of its majority and positioning Arab-led parties as a powerful force in Israeli politics. Arab-led parties won 19 of 120 parliamentary seats, a 64% increase in votes compared to the previous election, giving them a critical role in coalition negotiations. Neither Netanyahu's bloc nor challenger Gadi Eisenkot's center-right opposition reached the 61-seat threshold needed to form a government. The results have stirred anger among Israel's political right, with Netanyahu's Likud party making unsubstantiated claims of election fraud. Arab parties are divided on whether to back Eisenkot from outside his government, while President Isaac Herzog is expected to announce a coalition mandate candidate next week.