The key facts

  • With 48% of ballots counted, Netanyahu's bloc is projected at 55 of 120 seats, with Gadi Eisenkot's opposition at 50
  • Trump called his support a factor that 'helped a lot' and noted he had not yet spoken with Netanyahu
  • On Sunday, Trump announced his 'complete and total' endorsement of the Israeli prime minister

Preliminary results and Trump's statement

US President Donald Trump said to reporters on Wednesday morning that his support helped Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu perform better than expected in the parliamentary elections. According to him, upon hearing the results, he concluded that Netanyahu was 'perhaps winning or tied,' and a tie in such a situation can be considered a victory. Trump added that he had not yet spoken with the Israeli prime minister. This was reported by the Anadolu agency.

The balance of power in the Knesset

According to preliminary data, 48% of ballots had been counted by early Wednesday morning. Netanyahu's bloc was projected to win 55 seats in the 120-seat Knesset — six short of a ruling majority. The opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot was projected, by the same forecasts, to receive 50 seats. Thus, the final configuration of power remained uncertain: neither coalition had yet secured a majority.

Campaign context

On Sunday, a few days before the vote, Trump announced that he had given Netanyahu his 'Complete and Total Endorsement.' The campaign took place for the prime minister under politically sensitive conditions: his leadership was criticized over security issues, the war in Gaza, and Israel's standing on the international stage.

International proceedings

Anadolu also recalls data from the Palestinian authorities: since October 2023, more than 74,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza and over 175,000 wounded, and about 90% of the enclave's infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed. In November 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on suspicion of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Meanwhile, the International Court of Justice is considering a lawsuit by South Africa, joined by a number of countries, accusing Israel of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. These data and assessments belong to the aforementioned sources and bodies and are not independently confirmed by the editorial team.