The heavily anticipated Israeli election happened yesterday, but the results offered little clarity on who will be Israel’s next prime minister. The Likud, led by Prime Minister Netanyahu, outperformed predictions, winning a projected 27 seats, while Yashar, Gadi Eisenkot’s party is projected to secure just 22. All in all, the Netanyahu-led bloc managed to secure around 53 mandates and the change block, 48. Meanwhile, Arab voters cast their ballots at remarkably high rates, with the two parties projected to secure 19 seats. Without joining forces with the Arab parties or a dramatic shift in political alliances, the parties are at a deadlock. On today’s episode of Waiting for 61, Ami and Ruth unpacked this complex outcome, laying out all the possible scenarios going forward.
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What does it take to win an election in Israel? And what happens after the votes are counted?
Waiting for 61, JTA’s Israel election podcast, is your guide to the personalities, power struggles, and political calculations shaping Israel’s future. Whether you're a seasoned observer of Israeli politics or just trying to understand how it all works, we'll take you beyond the headlines to explore what's driving the election, why it matters, and what it could mean for Israel and the wider world.
Send questions to our hosts: waitingfor61@jta.org
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Free news is only free if someone pays for the reporters, the editors, and the late nights that come with an election. Your gift keeps Waiting for 61 free for every listener, whether they’re hearing it for the first time or have followed Israeli politics for decades.
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CREDITS:
CO-HOST: Ami Eden
CO-HOST: Ruth Eglash
PRODUCER: Maya Rackoff