Netanyahu isn’t acting like he won the election. Here’s what that could mean

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   Israel Faces Coalition Uncertainty as Netanyahu Claims Election Stolen

   Israel faces weeks of coalition haggling and political uncertainty after the final vote count showed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu losing his majority. Netanyahu has not won the election, but he has not lost either, leaving him in power in the short term while rivals attempt to build their own government. Amid the risk of losing power, Netanyahu and his party have stepped up attacks on Israel's Arab parties and claimed the election was stolen. Election officials have dismissed the claim that the vote was stolen, and Arab-led parties secured a record 19 seats in the election.

   Why it matters

   The inconclusive final vote count sets the stage for protracted political negotiations to form a governing coalition. Netanyahu faces an uphill battle to stop his rivals from organizing a majority government while attempting to ensure his own political survival. Arab parties achieved a record number of seats despite remaining shut out of traditional governing blocs.

   What is confirmed

   • Israel faces weeks of coalition haggling and political uncertainty after the final vote count confirmed no clear winner.
   • Benjamin Netanyahu's party claimed the Israeli election was stolen as results showed him losing his majority.
   • Election officials dismissed the claim that the vote was stolen.
   • Arab-led parties won a record 19 seats in the election.
   • Benjamin Netanyahu can stay in power in the short term while political parties work to form a coalition government.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Benjamin Netanyahu's claim that the election was stolen.

   What to watch next

   • Whether political rivals succeed in building their own government
   • The progress and outcome of weeks of coalition haggling
   Sources used for this update (13)

   1. www.cnn.com — Netanyahu is the ultimate survivor. But can he survive this time?
   2. Reuters — Netanyahu, at risk of losing power, steps up attacks on Israel's Arab parties
   3. PBS — Netanyahu's party claims Israeli election 'stolen' as results show him losing majority
   4. The Washington Post — Netanyahu alleges stolen election as he seeks political survival amid uncertainty
   5. CNBC — Israel faces weeks of coalition haggling as Netanyahu’s party claims election 'stolen'
   6. The New York Times — An Arab Town in Israel Celebrates the Election but Wonders What Will Change
   7. The Times of Israel — Netanyahu isn’t acting like he won the election. Here’s what that could mean
   8. The Washington Post — Final vote count confirms uncertainty after Israeli election
   9. The Times of Israel — As Netanyahu cries foul, election officials dismiss claim that vote was ‘stolen’
   10. www.jpost.com — How Netanyahu won Israel's election by not losing
   11. www.yahoo.com — Election live updates: Trump urges Stevens to switch parties after Rogers endorsement
   12. www.turkiyetoday.com — Arab parties win record 19 seats. Why are they still shut out?
   confidence 95%