Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc held steady at 54 seats in Israel’s election with 84.5 percent of ballot boxes counted, while the rival bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot rose to 49, partial results showed on Wednesday.
The Central Elections Committee published the figures as of 12:34 p.m. Arab-led parties, the Joint List and Ra’am, fell to 17 seats. A majority in the 120-seat Knesset requires 61.
Shifts since earlier count
In the previous update, with 76.8 percent counted, Netanyahu’s bloc had 54 seats, Eisenkot’s 47 and the Arab-led parties 19.
Parties below the threshold
Several parties remained under the 3.25 percent electoral threshold needed to enter the Knesset. Reservists stood at 2.7 percent, People of Israel at 1.6 percent and Charedi Public at 0.2 percent.
The results are partial and will keep changing as counting continues. Votes cast in double envelopes, including those of soldiers, are counted later.
