# Netanyahu's coalition falls short of majority

> Netanyahu's bloc loses parliamentary majority as Arab vote surge and Qatar election interference allegations emerge.
- Title: Netanyahu's coalition falls short of majority · Fox News
- Summary: Netanyahu's bloc loses parliamentary majority as Arab vote surge and Qatar election interference allegations emerge. Netanyahu's coalition falls short of 61…
- Keywords: netanyahu, israeli government, knesset, arab parties, qatar, election interference, parliamentary majority, political coalition, news, politics, Netanyahu's, coalition
- Source: Fox News — https://foxnews.com/world/netanyahu-bloc-falls-short-arab-vote-surges-qatar-election-interference-allegations-emerge
- Author: Efrat Lachter
- Published: 2026-10-29T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: netanyahu, israeli government, knesset, arab parties, qatar, election interference, parliamentary majority, political coalition, news, politics
## Netanyahu's coalition short of majority
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's governing coalition remained well short of a parliamentary majority Thursday as newly counted ballots showed a dramatic surge in support for Arab parties.
## Arab parties gain 19 seats
The two predominantly Arab parties were projected to secure a combined 19 seats, bringing the potential anti-Netanyahu parliamentary majority to 67.
## Arab voter turnout surges
Arab voter participation reached approximately 80%, compared with 53.2% in the 2022 election, according to the Israel Democracy Institute.
## Qatar interference allegations
Channel 12 reported that substantial sums originating in Qatar may have been transferred to influence voter participation in Arab communities.
## Qatar denies interference
Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Dr. Majed Al-Ansari wrote on X: 'We categorically deny allegations that Qatar has interfered in Israeli elections or funded any activities intended to influence their outcome.'

> We categorically deny allegations that Qatar has interfered in Israeli elections or funded any activities intended to influence their outcome.
## Election integrity concerns
Acting Central Elections Committee director general Dean Livne rejected the allegations, stating the Knesset elections were conducted lawfully with no basis for systematic violations of election integrity.
## Netanyahu's coalition weakens
Netanyahu's Likud remained the largest individual party with 26 seats, followed by Eisenkot's Yashar party with 21 and Bennett's Beyachad party with 12.
## Opposition seeks majority
The opposition bloc led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot was projected to win 48 seats, potentially forming a majority with Arab parties.
## Eisenkot's response
Eisenkot stated foreign involvement in Israel is unacceptable, particularly when it involves a country that funds and supports Hamas.
## Likud's stance
Likud argued that suspected foreign interference made cooperation with Arab parties unacceptable, claiming it would undermine the legitimacy of the newly elected Knesset.
## Potential unity government
A national unity coalition involving Netanyahu's Likud and Eisenkot's Yashar party could potentially exclude Arab parties and Netanyahu's far-right allies.
## Ultra-Orthodox route
Netanyahu's projected 53 seats include 14 held by Shas and United Torah Judaism, which could form a 62-seat majority with Eisenkot's bloc.
## Netanyahu remains caretaker
Netanyahu will remain caretaker prime minister until a new government is formed, a process that could take weeks or longer.
## Political uncertainty
The election results show Netanyahu's coalition without the parliamentary majority required to govern on its own, leaving Israel in political uncertainty.
## Key takeaway

Netanyahu's coalition falls short of 61 seats needed for government, with Arab parties gaining 19 seats and Qatar interference allegations intensifying political uncertainty.