Trump claims credit as Netanyahu's bloc edges ahead in Israeli election

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 29 Oct, 15:00 · Archive

Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing bloc secured the most seats in Israel's election but fell short of a parliamentary majority.

Israel held a general election on Tuesday. With nearly 94 per cent of votes counted, Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party and allied right-wing parties had secured approximately 53 of the 120 parliamentary seats, ahead of Gadi Eisenkot's opposition-led coalition with 48 seats. At least 61 seats are needed to form a government. Donald Trump claimed credit for Netanyahu's performance, posting that his endorsement nine days before the election meant 'the whole tide turned'. Trump told Axios that he had initially heard 'horror reports' about Netanyahu's prospects but now felt his ally was 'in pretty good shape'. When asked whether he might intervene to help form a Netanyahu-led government, Trump said he would 'take a look'.

Netanyahu's bloc alleged that Arab voters had committed fraud at polling stations, claims Israeli police rejected. Parties representing Arab Israelis were projected to win an unprecedented 19 seats, leaving Eisenkot with little realistic path to forming a government without their backing, which many Jewish political leaders oppose.

Final results were expected after roughly half a million absentee ballots from military personnel, diplomats, prisoners and hospital patients were counted. These were not expected to change the outcome significantly. Netanyahu will remain in charge as a caretaker while coalition negotiations proceed, which the outlets describe as 'tortuous'. The final results are expected to be confirmed after the additional votes are tallied.

How it is being reported

• Trump says he will look at helping Netanyahu after Israeli prime minister claims election ‘stolen’Trump endorsed Netanyahu for leader and said he wanted to help him ‘finish the job’ against IranIndependent World · 29 Oct, 11:27
• Trump takes the credit as Netanyahu edges ahead in Israeli electionsDonald Trump took the credit yesterday for boosting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tuesday's elections.Daily Mail · 29 Oct, 08:35
• Israel’s election result means one vital thing for TrumpThe US President is already boasting about the outcome, claiming: 'When President Trump endorsed Bibi Netanyahu, the whole tide turned'The i Paper · 28 Oct, 13:49

In this story: Benjamin Netanyahu · Donald Trump · Israel · Gadi Eisenkot · Likud · United States

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log