Arab Party Bloc Set to Become ‘Kingmaker’ in Determining Israel’s Next Leader

TEL AVIV — The Arab party bloc is likely to determine who leads Israel next.

The Central Elections Committee (CEC) said on Wednesday afternoon that, with 89.8 per cent of votes counted, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc was projected to win just 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset.

The bloc led by Yashar party chairman Gadi Eisenkot was forecast to secure 48 seats. Both blocs therefore remained well short of the 61 seats required for a majority.

The two parties whose members are predominantly Arab were projected to win 19 seats. This historic achievement puts them in a potential kingmaker position.

The result followed record turnout among Arab voters in Tuesday’s election. Participation was boosted by hopes of removing Netanyahu and his right-wing allies from power.