Israel's Election Deadlock Deepens as Eisenkot Sets Steep Terms for Arab Coalition Partners

Final vote count confirmed Oct. 29: Netanyahu's bloc fell to 53 seats (down from 64 in 2022), Arab parties hit a historic 19 seats (up from 10 in 2022), and Eisenkot set strict conditions for Arab coalition partners including recognition of Israel's Jewish and democratic character, universal conscription, and designation of Hamas as a terrorist organization. Opposition figures such as Avigdor Lieberman signaled plans to push legislation barring indicted individuals from serving as prime minister. A reported deal giving Netanyahu two more years then a pardon was denied by the presidency.