Israeli election update: Arab parties emerge kingmakers as Netanyahu’s bloc falls short of 61 seats

Netanyahu’s bloc is stuck at 54 SEATS with nearly 85% of votes counted, and the Arab parties could hold the balance of power…

Netanyahu’s right-wing and religious bloc has 54 seats, while Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar-aligned bloc has 49.

The two Arab-majority parties hold another 17 seats, 11 for the Joint List and 6 for Ra’am.

That leaves Netanyahu 7 seats short of the 61 needed for a Knesset majority.

With 84.66% counted, neither major bloc can form a government on
its own.