It was described by many Israelis as the most consequential election in their country’s history. And, as the final votes were tallied, it has delivered a result that presents Israel with a significant dilemma. Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right coalition has lost its mandate while the opposition has a clear majority: but only if the Jewish Israeli opposition bloc, led by retired general Gadi Eisenkot, is prepared to make a governing pact with Palestinian Israeli parties, which have secured a historic result.
But the country that is desperate for change remains bitterly divided. After a campaign mired in racism, during which Israel’s far-right demonised the Palestinian population as the enemy within, Netanyahu has gone further since Tuesday’s vote, claiming that Palestinian-led parties have “stolen the election”, despite Israeli authorities insisting there is no evidence of election fraud. As coalition talks commence, I spoke to our chief Middle East correspondent Emma Graham-Harrison in Tel Aviv, about false narratives and the stark choice facing the country.
But first, the headlines. UK politics | John Healey has backed away from cutting the cost of welfare this parliament, amid dire warnings his first budget could lead to brutal spending cuts because of a £28bn shortfall in public finances. Patrick Stewart | The acclaimed British stage and screen actor renowned for both Shakespeare and sci-fi, died at his home in Los Angeles after “a brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia”, his longtime spokesperson said.
Environment | One of the most ambitious nature recovery projects ever undertaken in England can go ahead after campaigners announced they had raised £30m to buy an estate in Northumberland. Europe | Spain began three days of mourning on Thursday for at least 69 people who died in a high-speed rail collision, as hospitals continued to treat dozens of injured passengers and train drivers went on strike to urge more investment in railway safety. US news | The Trump administration has opened a criminal investigation in California over claims that thousands of noncitizens are registered to vote in the state, and has begun subpoenaing election officials.
With the final results released early on Friday local time, Netanyahu’s bloc won 53 seats, compared with 48 for the grouping led by rival Eisenkot. Palestinian parties won 19 seats, a record high. No single party has ever claimed a majority of 61 seats, so Israel has always been governed by coalitions.
With neither bloc reaching the 61 seats needed for a majority in the Knesset, Israeli president Isaac Herzog is expected to invite the party most likely to be able to form a government to start coalition negotiations, and has already urged politicians to have an “open mind” before talks begin. The country potentially faces weeks of rancour and uncertainty. Yair Golan, the leader of the centre-left Democrats, a junior partner in the Jewish Israeli opposition bloc, told Israeli media on Thursday that he was meeting Eisenkot and others for initial talks.
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