Ben-Gvir ‘caused serious damage’ to Netanyahu’s bloc, boosted Arab parties: Likud official

Shimon Boker, a member of Likud’s central committee, said the extremist minister harmed the bloc and helped Arab parties gain seats through repeated provocations.

The report put turnout in Rahat, Israel’s largest Bedouin city, at nearly 80%.

A veteran Likud activist identified as Rami, who observed voting in Rahat, described widespread anger toward Ben-Gvir and said it drove residents to vote against Netanyahu’s camp.

Rahat Mayor Talal al-Krenawi welcomed the turnout as a demonstration of the community’s strength. Residents cited home demolitions and Ben-Gvir’s rhetoric as reasons for voting.

An activist from Ben-Gvir’s Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party rejected the criticism, arguing that the minister should not be blamed for Arab citizens exercising their right to vote.

The completed count left Netanyahu’s bloc with 53 seats, compared with 48 for the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot and a record 19 for Arab parties.

Neither main bloc secured the 61 seats needed for a majority in the 120-member Knesset.

The Joint List won 11 seats and the United Arab List (Ra’am) eight. The results are expected to be presented to President Isaac Herzog on Nov. 4 following verification procedures.