Anti-government protesters rally near Netanyahu’s Jerusalem residence a day after inconclusive Israeli election

Anti-government demonstrators gathered near Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence in Jerusalem on Wednesday, a day after Israel’s election failed to produce a clear parliamentary majority.

Protesters called for an end to the war in Gaza and renewed their opposition to Netanyahu’s government as coalition negotiations began to take shape.

The demonstration came as Israel remained locked in a political stalemate following Tuesday’s vote.

With around 90% of ballots counted, Netanyahu’s bloc stood at 53 seats, Gadi Eisenkot’s opposition bloc at 48 and Arab parties at 19, leaving neither main camp with the 61 seats required for a majority in the 120-member Knesset.

President Isaac Herzog urged political leaders to avoid another election and said parties should approach coalition talks with “an open mind.”

Arab parties have emerged as potential power brokers in the next phase, with neither Netanyahu nor Eisenkot currently able to assemble a majority without additional support or a broader political realignment.

Netanyahu remains caretaker prime minister while the final votes are counted and coalition talks begin.