Netanyahu Bloc Loses Majority as Special Ballots Counted; Qatar Rejects Netanyahu's Interference Claims

Israelis are voting in a high-stakes election that could end Benjamin Netanyahu's political career, with Iran policy at the center.

Israel has held its first national election since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks, recording the highest voter turnout in decades. With nearly all ballots — including special ballots — counted, Benjamin Netanyahu's far-right coalition has lost its majority, while former military chief Gadi Eisenkot's opposition bloc has also fallen short of the 61 seats needed to form a government, making coalition talks all but inevitable. Earlier in the count, Netanyahu's bloc appeared to hold a slight lead, but the final tally of special ballots shifted the balance, leaving his coalition without a majority. Palestinian parties recorded significant gains and are expected to play a pivotal role in determining which bloc can ultimately assemble a governing majority. Netanyahu alleged foreign interference in the election, but the claim was dismissed as 'ridiculous and dangerous' by Qatar, and also rejected by Israeli police and opposition parties. President Trump inserted himself into the results, publicly claiming that his two endorsements of Netanyahu saved the prime minister from 'decisive defeat' and delivered the Israeli right either a 'big come-from-behind stalemate or even a win.' Iran remained the dominant security issue throughout the campaign. Netanyahu escalated his rhetoric around the Iranian threat in the final stretch, and The Guardian previously reported he pressured military officials to carry out a strike on Iran ahead of voting — an allegation suggesting campaign dynamics may have influenced national security decision-making. The outcome will shape Israel's Iran policy, its relationship with the United States, and the course of ongoing military operations, but the precise contours of the next government remain deeply uncertain pending coalition negotiations.

Why it matters

The election will shape Israel's foreign and security policy — particularly toward Iran — at a moment of heightened regional tensions. The result could either extend or end the political career of one of Israel's longest-serving leaders.

What's next

Watch for election results and whether Netanyahu's bloc can assemble a governing coalition majority, which will determine both his political future and Israel's posture on Iran.

Key facts

• Netanyahu's far-right coalition narrowly trails in pre-election polls, according to The Guardian
• The Guardian reports Netanyahu pressured the Israeli military to strike Iran before the election
• Iran's nuclear and military threat is the central security issue of the campaign
• Netanyahu is one of Israel's longest-serving prime ministers and is fighting to extend his tenure
• Multiple outlets describe the race as genuinely open with no clear winner projected
• The election result will directly shape Israel's Iran policy and regional security posture

Bias & framing notes

The Guardian leads with the most serious and unverified allegation — that Netanyahu pressured the military to attack Iran — framing the story through potential political manipulation of security decisions. Fox News takes a straightforwardly pro-Netanyahu framing, emphasizing his security record and legacy without engaging with the Iran pressure allegation. CBS News is the most neutral, treating the race as genuinely open and focusing on electoral mechanics. None of the three sources fully corroborate one another on the military-pressure claim, which only The Guardian reports.

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