Israel Election Results 2026 LIVE Updates: President Herzog accepts results, to begin consultations on next government
Israel Election Results 2026 LIVE: Central Election Committee chairman and Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg presented the results of Israel’s October 27, 2026, elections to President Isaac Herzog at an official ceremony at the President’s Residence.
by Mashkoora Khan, Syed Ilham Jafri · The Indian Express · JoinIsrael Election Results 2026 LIVE: Israel’s Central Elections Committee presidium on Wednesday approved the results of last week’s election, according to a statement. Representatives of Yesh Atid and Blue and White voted in favour of the results, while those from Likud and Shas abstained. Committee chairman Justice Noam Sohlberg cast the final vote in favour of ratification.
Meanwhile, Israel’s domestic security agency Shin Bet has warned of suspected large-scale foreign interference in the country’s elections, involving huge sums of money and potentially thousands of people, Ynetnews reported. In a statement to the Central Elections Committee on Wednesday, the agency said intelligence indicated that funds were being transferred into Israel from foreign countries through individuals or entities with concealed or potentially hostile interests, according to the report.
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Shin Bet said further investigation was needed to establish the full extent of the suspected operations. While earlier reports linked the allegations to possible Qatari funding, the agency did not identify any country, political party or recipients. It also clarified that the findings do not establish that votes were bought or election results manipulated. Meanwhile, Israel’s Central Election Commission has said it found no evidence of fraud in last week’s election, countering Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s repeated claims that Arab-led parties had “stolen” the vote. Netanyahu and his supporters have made the allegations without providing evidence, according to AP.
Israel’s main opposition leaders have agreed to back former military chief Gadi Eisenkot as prime minister and to replace Benjamin Netanyahu’s government as fast as they can, AFP said. They met in Herzliya on November 3, their first joint meeting since the October 27 election, which left neither bloc with a majority in the 120-seat Knesset. The bloc is still split on whether to work with Arab-led parties, whose votes could decide the outcome.
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- Opposition leaders agree on Eisenkot: All parties in the alliance will recommend Eisenkot, who heads the Yashar party, to President Isaac Herzog. They say they want “a national emergency government”. Herzog holds talks with the parties on November 4 and 5.
- Arab-led parties hold the balance: Netanyahu’s bloc won 53 seats, the opposition 48 and Arab-led parties 19. A majority needs 61. Yair Golan backs an alliance with Arab-led parties, but Avigdor Liberman firmly opposes it.
- Netanyahu seeks a “broad national government”: Netanyahu says Likud, with 27 seats, is still the largest party. No opposition leader has said they will join him, and he has ruled out a coalition with Arab-majority lists.
- Row over trust in the election result: Eisenkot accused Netanyahu and Likud of trying to weaken trust in the result and “drag us all into a dangerous constitutional crisis”, the Jerusalem Post said. The attorney-general also refused to let Shin Bet question Arab-party lawmakers without evidence.
Key updates:
- Neither bloc won a majority in the October 27 election. A majority needs 61 of 120 seats.
- Netanyahu’s bloc has 53 seats, the opposition has 48 and Arab-led parties have 19.
- Eisenkot’s four principles could rule out some Arab-led parties.
- Golan backs an alliance with Arab-led parties, while Liberman opposes it.
- Eisenkot says the opposition will form a “national emergency government”.
Follow the latest updates on the Israel election here. This live blog tracks the key developments as voting day unfolds. The headline, introduction and Top Developments section will be refreshed through the day to reflect the most important news from the vote.
Live Updates
Nov 4, 2026 04:14 PM IST
Poll chief presents election results to President Issac Herzog
Central Election Committee chairman and Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg presented the results of Israel’s October 27, 2026, elections to President Isaac Herzog at an official ceremony at the President’s Residence.
Speaking at the ceremony, Sohlberg warned that attempts to question the election results posed “a real danger” to Israeli democracy. He reiterated that even if allegations of electoral fraud were proven, the scale of any irregularities would not be sufficient to change the outcome of the election.
Sohlberg was referring to ongoing investigations into alleged electoral fraud. Likud and other coalition parties have argued that the investigations should have delayed the publication of the election results.
“In recent days, we have heard voices trying to cast doubt on the election results and to undermine their legitimacy. This is a real danger,” Sohlberg said.
Nov 4, 2026 03:42 PM IST
Supreme Court deputy speaker set to deliver election results to President Issac Herzog
Committee chairman Noam Sohlberg, the deputy president of the Supreme Court, is set to deliver the election results to President Isaac Herzog at the President’s Residence.
That handover, together with publication in the state gazette, constitutes formal certification of the election outcome.
Herzog will begin consulting representatives of the elected parties later today, asking each for their recommendation on whom should be tasked with trying to build a coalition.
In a departure from custom, he will meet delegations from the smaller parties first, starting with Religious Zionism at 5 p.m., followed by Shas and Yisrael Beytenu. The remaining factions are expected tomorrow, ending with Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar and, finally, Likud tomorrow evening.
Source: The Times of Israel
Nov 4, 2026 03:15 PM IST
Israel election results ratified despite Likud fraud claims
Israel’s Central Elections Committee presidium on Wednesday approved the results of last week’s election, according to a statement.
Representatives of Yesh Atid and Blue and White voted in favour of the results, while those from Likud and Shas abstained. Committee chairman Justice Noam Sohlberg cast the final vote in favour of ratification.
The five-member presidium consists of Sohlberg and representatives of the four largest political factions. The results will now be placed before the full committee, which also includes representatives of smaller parties. However, the wider committee's discussions are expected to be largely symbolic following the presidium's decision.
The election results will be submitted to President Isaac Herzog later on Wednesday. He will then begin consultations with party leaders on whom they support for prime minister. Herzog is expected to give the mandate to form the next government to the person who receives the backing of the largest number of party representatives.
The approval comes after Likud and other outgoing coalition parties sought to delay the certification of the results over allegations of election fraud.
Sohlberg rejected their request, saying the committee had no authority to delay the certification based on information about investigations or law enforcement concerns.
Earlier on Wednesday, the committee reiterated that it had found no irregularities suggesting that the election had been compromised or its results altered.
Source: The Times of Israel.
Nov 4, 2026 03:03 PM IST
Trump acknowledges role of Iran war in Democratic sweep in midterm elections
President Donald Trump acknowledged on Wednesday that the US-Israeli war on Iran played a role in his party's sweeping defeat in the midterm elections, as Democrats won control of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
"I think a part of it was Iran," Trump told Fox News in an interview; "Iran was a piece of it," he separately told The Wall Street Journal.
But despite the Republican losses on Tuesday -- and his campaign promise of "no new wars" -- Trump stood by his decision to attack Iran.
"I did the right thing," he said in his interview with the Wall Street Journal. "I would have done it again."
The war, now in its ninth month, has been unpopular among Americans since it began. On the campaign trail, Democratic candidates across the country blamed the conflict for driving up the cost of gas and other goods.
Trump has offered shifting goals and timelines for the war, alternately threatening to ramp up US military strikes and saying he could end the conflict at any time.
In Tehran, the US election results were met with satisfaction. "Americans said NO TO WAR, and we endorse this message," Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said on Wednesday on X. Reuters
Nov 4, 2026 02:27 PM IST
Netanyahu retains military powers despite losing majority in Israel’s parliament: Explainer
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has lost his parliamentary majority after last week’s election, but retains broad executive powers as his opponents struggle to form an alternative government. The six parties opposed to him hold 67 of the Knesset’s 120 seats, compared with 53 for Netanyahu’s bloc.
They could use their majority when the new Knesset convenes on November 10 to replace Speaker Amir Ohana, set up parliamentary committees and advance parts of their legislative agenda, including reversing the judicial overhaul.
However, disagreements over relying on Arab parties have complicated efforts to form a governing coalition. Until a new government is sworn in, Netanyahu will remain at the helm of a caretaker administration with authority over military operations, national security and foreign affairs.
This means he could legally authorise an attack on Iran despite lacking a parliamentary majority, subject to the usual decision-making procedures.
- With inputs from The Times of Israel.
Nov 4, 2026 01:56 PM IST
Shin Bet security agency flags suspected foreign election interference involving thousands in Israel: Report
Israel’s Shin Bet security agency has warned of suspected large-scale foreign interference in last week’s election, involving substantial financial transfers into the country and potentially thousands of people. In a statement to the Central Elections Committee on Wednesday, the agency said intelligence indicated that money may have entered Israel from foreign individuals or entities whose interests were concealed and, in some cases, potentially hostile to the country.
The Shin Bet said further intelligence gathering and investigation were needed to establish the full scale of the suspected operations and identify those involved. Earlier reports linked the probe to possible funding from Qatar, but the agency did not name any country, recipient or political party. The statement does not establish that votes were bought or that the election results were altered.
- Report by Ytnews
Nov 4, 2026 01:46 PM IST
Why forming a government in Israel could prove difficult after election: Opinion
Israel faces a prolonged political deadlock after last week’s election left no bloc with a clear majority in the 120-member Knesset. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc has 53 seats, the opposition Change bloc has 48, while Arab parties hold 19.
Although the opposition and Arab parties together have 67 seats, disagreements over relying on Arab support could prevent them from forming a government. Former foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman’s Yisrael Beiteinu, with seven seats, is particularly opposed to such an arrangement.
Past precedents offer little reassurance: Yitzhak Rabin relied on Arab support to pass the Oslo Accords in 1993–95, while Naftali Bennett depended on an Arab party to form his government in 2021.
In both cases, Netanyahu won the subsequent election. Under Israel’s Basic Laws, government formation could take months, and failure to reach an agreement would trigger fresh elections, allowing Netanyahu to remain as caretaker prime minister.
Nov 4, 2026 01:40 PM IST
Arab coalition leader says Israel has ‘historic’ chance to oust Netanyahu
Yousef Jabareen, leader of Israel’s Hadash party, has said the country has a “historic” opportunity to change direction and remove Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after last week’s election left his coalition without a majority. Netanyahu’s bloc fell from 68 to 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset, while the opposition Change bloc won 48 seats and Arab parties secured a record 19.
Arab Israeli voter turnout more than doubled to around 80%, with about 840,000 Palestinian citizens of Israel casting their ballots. Jabareen said the Joint List, which has 11 seats, could support a government led by Gadi Eisenkot from outside the coalition, but would not join it while the occupation of the West Bank continues. He also called for an end to the war and renewed talks with Palestinian leaders.
Nov 4, 2026 12:55 PM IST
Israel’s Arab parties are kingmakers, yet no one wants them. Here’s why
The results of the Israeli general elections, with no clear winner, once again shine the light on a democracy functioning in a deeply divided society. Every section of the Israeli society voted for their representatives, which resulted in a fractured mandate.
While the coalition led by Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud managed to secure the maximum number of seats (53), it is not enough to form the government. The Gadi Eizenkot-led (Yashar) Opposition could manage 48 seats, despite thousands of its supporters flying in to vote for change. The surprise was reserved for the Arab parties, who received an unprecedented number of votes and seats (19) in the 120-member Knesset. Read more
Nov 4, 2026 12:49 PM IST
In Israel, no coalition may last too long
Israel’s Knesset is scheduled to meet on November 10 for the swearing-in of its 120 MKs (Members of Knesset): 53 from the bloc led by Prime Minister Netanyahu, 48 from the opposition bloc whose largest party is led by former IDF (Israel Defense Forces) chief Gadi Eisenkot, and 19 from the Arab parties. Read more
Nov 4, 2026 12:48 PM IST
Israel elections: Arab coalition leader says country has ‘historic’ chance to oust Netanyahu
Yousef Jabareen, the leader of Israel’s main Arab coalition, says he is ready to join the opposition “Change” bloc to remove Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after last week’s election. He told The Guardian that Israel has a chance to change direction.
Netanyahu’s coalition lost its majority and fell from 68 to 53 seats in the 120-seat Knesset. The Change bloc, led by retired general Gadi Eisenkot, won 48 seats. Arab parties won a record 19 seats, which gives them the balance of power. Read more
Nov 4, 2026 12:27 PM IST
Shin Bet chief seeks to question Arab party leaders in election interference case
Shin Bet chief David Zini has asked Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara to approve questioning four senior Arab politicians as suspects in an election interference case, i24NEWS reported.
The four are Ta’al chairman MK Ahmad Tibi, Ra’am chairman Mansour Abbas, Balad chairman Sami Abu Shehadeh and another senior Knesset member whose identity cannot be published. Abu Shehadeh was disqualified from running in the elections.
Nov 4, 2026 12:22 PM IST
Israel election commission finds no fraud in last week’s vote
Israel’s Central Election Commission has said it found no evidence of fraud in last week’s election, countering Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s repeated claims that Arab-led parties had “stolen” the vote. Netanyahu and his supporters have made the allegations without providing evidence, according to the Associated Press.
Nov 4, 2026 10:00 AM IST
Israel election deadlock leaves Netanyahu’s future uncertain as blocs fall short of majority
Israel’s political deadlock has left Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s future uncertain, with neither the ruling coalition nor the opposition alliance securing the 61 seats needed for a majority in the 120-member Knesset. Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc won 53 seats in the October 27 election, while the opposition alliance led by former army chief Gadi Eisenkot secured 48. The remaining 19 seats went to the two Arab-led lists, the Joint List and Ra’am, whose support could prove crucial in government formation.
Opposition leaders have said they will work to replace Netanyahu with a national emergency government, but remain divided over whether to seek support from Arab parties or ultra-Orthodox groups Shas and United Torah Judaism. Netanyahu, meanwhile, has ruled out partnering with parties he accuses of supporting terrorism. Official results are due to be certified on Wednesday, after which President Isaac Herzog will begin consultations to decide who should get the first opportunity to form a government. The new Knesset is scheduled to be sworn in on November 10.
- With Inputs from Al Jazeera
Nov 4, 2026 09:24 AM IST
Israeli lawmaker calls for probe into alleged Palestinian Authority interference in election
Israeli lawmaker Simcha Rothman of the Religious Zionist Party has called for a thorough investigation into alleged Palestinian Authority (PA) interference in the country's recent Knesset elections. Speaking to 103FM, Rothman claimed that a foreign state entity had been involved in the election campaign and questioned restrictions allegedly imposed by the attorney-general on investigating the matter.
Rothman also raised the possibility of fresh elections if an investigation established that foreign interference had affected the results. Asked whether the election results should be annulled, he said new polls might be necessary if 100,000 or even 500,000 votes had been affected. He argued that the extent of the alleged interference could not be determined without a proper investigation.
- With Inputs from The Jerusalem Post
Nov 4, 2026 08:20 AM IST
Israel election chief says official results to be published despite coalition’s objections
Israel’s Central Elections Committee (CEC) chairman Noam Sohlberg has said the official results of last week’s Knesset election will be published on Wednesday, rejecting another attempt by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s outgoing coalition to delay the announcement. Representatives of parties in Netanyahu’s bloc had sought a discussion on alleged vote-buying by several Arab suspects at a CEC meeting.
Sohlberg said the committee’s plenary meeting would begin at 9 am on Wednesday to allow for a detailed discussion. However, he maintained that neither the committee nor any other authority had the legal power to delay publication of the results, which must be released eight days after the election under Israel’s Basic Laws. He added that allegations of electoral wrongdoing could be taken up by the courts.
- With inputs from Times of Israel
Nov 4, 2026 07:55 AM IST
Trump’s plan to end US aid to Israel signals shift in American political consensus
US President Donald Trump’s announcement that Washington would end nearly USD 4 billion in annual military assistance to Israel has highlighted a growing divide in American politics over support for its long-standing ally. The announcement, made in a Fox News interview on Election Day, came amid mounting criticism of US support for Israel among both progressive Democrats and sections of Trump’s MAGA movement.
However, Trump offered few details about how the proposed withdrawal would work, and it remains unclear whether he intends to end the assistance immediately or allow the existing agreement to expire in 2028.
The move could mark a shift in the traditionally bipartisan consensus backing Israel in Washington, particularly as the war in Gaza and the US role in the Iran conflict become increasingly contentious domestic political issues. Under a 2016 agreement, the US committed to providing Israel around USD 3.8 billion annually in military assistance through 2028.
Analysts cautioned against overstating the immediate impact, noting that the two countries remain closely tied through weapons procurement, defence cooperation and ongoing military programmes. Trump’s announcement also comes as Israel faces uncertainty over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s political future following an inconclusive election.
- With inputs from CNN
Nov 4, 2026 07:46 AM IST
Trump says US to end annual aid to Israel by year-end, but may offer other support
US President Donald Trump has said Washington will stop providing annual financial assistance to Israel after the end of 2026, claiming that he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had agreed to phase out the funding. Speaking to Fox News, Trump said the US would still help Israel if needed, but did not clarify what form that assistance would take. Neither Netanyahu’s office nor Israel’s foreign ministry had publicly confirmed the announcement, according to Al Jazeera.
The proposed move faces legal and political hurdles as the military assistance is appropriated by the US Congress, meaning Trump cannot end it unilaterally. Under a 2016 agreement, Washington committed to providing Israel around USD 3.8 billion annually in military aid through 2028. Experts cited by Al Jazeera said ongoing weapons and missile-defence programmes could make an immediate withdrawal difficult, potentially extending the phase-out into 2027.
- With Inputs from Al Jazeera
Nov 4, 2026 07:40 AM IST
Trump says US to end annual $4 billion aid to Israel after 2026
US President Donald Trump has said Washington will stop providing Israel with $4 billion in annual aid after the end of 2026, claiming he reached an agreement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu months ago. Speaking to Fox News, Trump said the US would still help Israel if needed but did not specify what form that assistance would take. Neither Netanyahu’s office nor Israel’s Foreign Ministry had confirmed the announcement. The move would require congressional approval, as the aid is appropriated by the US Congress.
- With Inputs from Al Jazeera
Nov 4, 2026 07:38 AM IST
Opposition leader calls Trump’s decision to end US aid to Israel a ‘severe failure’
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid on Wednesday criticised US President Donald Trump’s decision to end annual American assistance to Israel, calling it one of the most severe political and security failures in the country’s history. He accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of capitulating to the decision and failing to prepare the country’s security establishment for its consequences.
Trump announced that the US would end approximately USD 4 billion in annual assistance to Israel by the end of the year, arguing that the country was economically strong enough to purchase its own weapons. Another opposition leader, Yair Golan, also criticised the move, warning that the financial burden of meeting Israel’s security needs would fall on the Israeli public. Under a 2016 agreement, Washington had committed to providing Israel around USD 3.8 billion annually in military assistance through 2028.
- With ANI Inputs
Nov 4, 2026 06:31 AM IST
Iran's chief negotiator says the US must act to prevent renewed war
Iran’s chief negotiator says it’s up to the United States to prevent renewed war after what he described as a “firm and rational response” to Washington. Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf did not elaborate. His comments came after the U.S. conducted defensive strikes on some Iranian targets in the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump says his administration will stop providing $4 billion in aid each year to Israel but still sell arms to its ally. India reports that an attack on a commercial vessel off Oman killed an Indian national while 13 others were rescued.
Nov 4, 2026 05:49 AM IST
Israel election results: Opposition backs Eisenkot to oust Netanyahu, remains split over Arab parties
The political deadlock in Israel after the October 27 parliamentary elections continues as the question of who will emerge as the leader lingers, while the opposition leaders agreed in a meeting on Tuesday to back Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s rival and former military chief, Gadi Eisenkot, to form a new government and remained divided over Arab-led parties’ cooperation.
During a 70-minute meeting in Israel’s Herzliya, the first since the election last month, the five party heads, Yashar’s Eisenkot, Beyachad’s Naftali Bennett, Atid’s Yair Lapid, Democrats’ Yair Golan and Beytenu’s Avigdor Liberman agreed to immediately coordinate efforts to replace the Netanyahu-led government with a national emergency government, Al Jazeera reported. The Israeli election results left neither bloc with a majority in the 120-member Knesset. Eisenkot-led bloc won 48 seats in the election. Read more
Nov 4, 2026 05:44 AM IST
Eisenkot accuses Netanyahu of attempting to undermine public trust in election results
Yashar Party leader Gadi Eisenkot accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Likud Party of "attempting to carry out a pogrom against democracy" by attempting to undermine public trust in the election results in a post on X/Twitter on Tuesday.
"They are trying to drag us all into a dangerous constitutional crisis," he wrote.
Nov 4, 2026 05:40 AM IST
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