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High Arab turnout threatens Netanyahu’s Knesset majority

By Drooid · Oct 30, 2026 · How we work

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Summary

Palestinian citizens turned out at unprecedented rates in Israel's parliamentary election, threatening Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition.
Around 90% of votes projected Netanyahu's bloc to win 53 Knesset seats, opposition 48.
Analysts say high Arab turnout could deny Netanyahu the 61-seat majority.
Opposition parties refuse Arab alliances, insisting on excluding Ben-Gvir and Smotrich.
Palestinians said the election outcome will not change Gaza’s suffering, regardless of winner.

History

On 29 May 1996 a record 71 % Arab turnout helped Benjamin Netanyahu win the prime-ministerial vote by just 29,457 votes, giving Likud a 30-seat bloc. Hamas suicide bombings that damaged Shimon Peres and late backing from Jordan’s King Hussein forced Netanyahu into a fragile coalition. Today’s similarly high Arab participation again threatens his quest for a 61-seat majority, recalling the 1996 instability.

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On 29 May 1996 a record 71 % Arab turnout helped Benjamin Netanyahu win the prime-ministerial vote by just 29,457 votes, giving Likud a 30-seat bloc. Hamas suicide bombings that damaged Shimon Peres and late backing from Jordan’s King Hussein forced Netanyahu into a fragile coalition. Today’s similarly high Arab participation again threatens his quest for a 61-seat majority, recalling the 1996 instability.

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