Israel's vote leaves Netanyahu and Eisenkot short of 61 seats at 77.7% turnout

JacobinOct 28

“Whatever else may divide them, the two rival coalitions share common ground in their staunch opposition to a Palestinian state and their insistence that Israel’s security must be further strengthened.”Jacobin · arguing the Netanyahu-Eisenkot contest changes nothing for Palestinians

Jacobin wrote. The Young Turks' guest analysis argued Eisenkot cannot build a coalition with Arab parties and that "racism is the major point." [46][85]

CNNOct 28

“a worthy leader would accept the people’s vote of no confidence and announce his retirement from political life today.”Gadi Eisenkot, opposition leader and former top general, quoted by CNN · demanding Netanyahu quit even though the opposition also lacks a majority

“We have proven that we are a political force that cannot be ignored, and that it is impossible to build a future here without our voice”Yousef Jabareen, chairman of the Joint List, quoted by CNN · claiming Arab parties are now kingmakers after record turnout and seat projections

CNN wrote, then walked readers through Herzog's consultations and the 28-day coalition clock. It credited Palestinian citizens' turnout to "an urgent desire to topple Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition" and quoted Arab party leaders at length.

PBS NewsHourOct 28

“These elections are going to determine what direction Israel is going to go and how Israel is going to look for the next 40, 50 years.”Jonathan Barsade, president of the America-Israel Democracy Coalition, quoted by PBS NewsHour · arguing the vote is a generational turning point for Israel's direction

“We will solve this problem, which is called Hamas, Hezbollah, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, and then we succeed in cutting off the head of the snake, as Bibi promised.”Maor Vaknin, Likud adviser, quoted by PBS NewsHour · making the Netanyahu camp's case that only he, with Trump, can defeat Israel's enemies

Nick Schifrin reported from Eisenkot's Tel Aviv headquarters. The NewsHour gave airtime to voters on both sides and closed on the prospect of a caretaker Netanyahu and repeat elections.

The Commentary Magazine PodcastOct 28

“the only governing coalition that could possibly benefit from Arab voters would be the opposition”Seth Mandels, Commentary senior editor · explaining why higher Arab turnout would hurt Netanyahu's path to a majority

“the media in Israel and here have been unbelievably hostile and publishing just incredibly hostile stuff, poorly sourced, thinly sourced stuff”Commentary Magazine Podcast · claiming press coverage is aimed at destroying Netanyahu and his coalition

the Commentary panel said on voting day, gaming out whether high turnout helps or hurts Netanyahu. The Bulwark opened its newsletter asking "Can Bibi Netanyahu hang on?" [285][261]

Reason MagazineOct 28

“So, Netanyahu seems unlikely to win outright, but likely to still be in charge at the end of all this—very much not a mandate, and something that would probably trigger elections again next year.”Reason Magazine (Liz Wolfe) · predicting a stalemate that leaves Netanyahu in office without a mandate

“Who's in charge in Israel, and how much of a mandate they believe themselves to have, matters an awful lot when it comes to American policy in the Middle East”Reason Magazine (Liz Wolfe) · linking the unclear result to US policy on Iran and Hormuz shipping

Reason concluded, predicting Netanyahu stays in charge as caretaker and that elections could come again next year. The Free Press ran a pro-Netanyahu case from Gadi Taub alongside a profile of Eisenkot and a Haviv Rettig Gur episode on Israeli "solidarity." [312][329][330]

Breitbart NewsOct 28

“Israel stands before a historic, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, together with our partner President Trump, to remove the existential threat from Iran once and for all”Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli prime minister, quoted by Breitbart News · urging Israelis to set aside political divisions in favor of the Iran campaign alongside Trump

“We must not, absolutely must not, endanger Israel by establishing a government that relies on anti-Zionist Arab parties”Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli prime minister, quoted by Breitbart News · rejecting any opposition government that depends on Arab party support

Breitbart wrote in its own voice. Across three pieces it led with Netanyahu's claim of a majority among Jewish voters, his warning that "They are trying to steal the election from us," and his call to finish the job on Iran alongside Trump.

The American ConservativeOct 28

“a Great Warrior Prime Minister, and an even greater Partner for Peace in combatting the Islamic Republic of Iran.”Donald Trump, US President, quoted by The American Conservative · endorsing Netanyahu as Israelis vote, tying the election to the ongoing war with Iran

against Iran if his Likud party wins," TAC noted in its daily war log, filing the vote under the Iran conflict. The Christian Post led on "potential voter interference" claims from several parties, while CBN's headline asked who will lead "the Jewish State with Iran Threat Still Looming." [461][458][463][448][482]

The ForwardOct 28

“Sticking to it would be a spectacular case of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.”The Forward · arguing the opposition would squander a majority by honoring its pledge to avoid Arab-party support

“the notion that Arab parliamentary support renders a government illegitimate is neither a democratic principle nor a reflection of Israel’s political history.”The Forward · rebutting the taboo that blocks Arab parties from propping up an anti-Netanyahu government

a Forward essay said of opposition pledges to exclude Arab parties. The outlet split internally: another Forward op-ed argued "the goal has never been merely an end to Bibi, but an end to Israel and Zionism" for Israel's critics abroad.

Al JazeeraOct 28

“Arabs can’t be kept outside and only being considered and co-opted when you need their votes”Alon Pinkas, former Israeli ambassador, quoted by Al Jazeera · warning that both blocs pay a price for refusing Arab parties while needing their seats

“the right bloc has a majority. And it is a decisive majority.”Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister, quoted by Al Jazeera · claiming victory while partial counts show his bloc short of the 61 seats needed

Al Jazeera wrote in its own voice when setting up the vote. Four pieces centered the record Arab turnout and the Arab parties' potential role as tie-breakers, and quoted Netanyahu calling a coalition with them a "disgrace and a shame." [496][498][489][499]

World Socialist Web SiteOct 28

the US government has exploded whatever “legal” pretense it has previously used to justify its repressive immigration policiesWorld Socialist Web Site · arguing the Bolsonaro visa contradicts the jailing and deportation of non-citizen critics of US foreign policy

“transforms the United States into a place of refuge for fascist politicians who will use their newfound freedom and American connections to stage assaults on the democratic rights of the international working class across the Southern Hemisphere and the world”World Socialist Web Site · claiming the visa turns the US into a base for far-right politicians' attacks on democracy across the hemisphere

the WSWS wrote. It set the visa against the detention of Mahmoud Khalil and Rümeysa Öztürk and tied it to the "Homeland and Hemisphere" strategy.

The InterceptOct 28

“Flávio Bolsonaro’s election denial and hasty escape are his version of Trump’s infamous January 6 speech: Rile up the troops to do your dirty work and get the hell out of the way.”Andrew Fishman, president of The Intercept Brasil · likening Bolsonaro's refusal to concede and sudden departure to Trump's January 6 incitement

“Both wrap themselves in the rhetoric of patriotism and moral righteousness, while treating their political offices as personal get-rich-quick schemes.”Andrew Fishman, president of The Intercept Brasil · arguing the Trumps and Bolsonaros share a pattern of self-enrichment and abandoning followers

The Intercept Brasil's president wrote of the Bolsonaros and Trumps alike. The piece walked through the $10 million Vorcaro payments and the betting-company inquiry.

USA TodayOct 28

“Brazil is their second nation, the U.S. is their first.”Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Brazil's president, quoted by USA Today · mocking the Bolsonaro family's flight to the US as a betrayal of Brazil

USA Today wrote of the visa decision, and gave Lula the line that the exit was "shameful." The AP story on MSNBC described "a hotly contested race that bucked a trend of conservative electoral results in Latin America." The Guardian quoted Rep. Joaquin Castro: "Losing an election is not grounds for asylum." [193][125][172]

BBC NewsOct 28

“We knew nothing about this, and we still have no information about what happened”Unnamed lawyer for Flávio Bolsonaro, quoted by BBC News · saying his legal team was unaware of his whereabouts after he missed the court's passport deadline

Bolsonaro's own lawyers told the BBC about his whereabouts. The BBC built the story on the passport order, the missed deadline and the visa confirmation, and noted that he "has not been charged and has denied the allegations." [220]

The BulwarkOct 28

“it's also being facilitated by Marco Rubio, who I guess it turns out is soft. on immigration.”The Bulwark host · sarcastically accusing the administration of helping a fugitive enter the US

“He's wanted for money laundering $1 billion.”The Bulwark host · stressing the charges against Bolsonaro are financial crimes, not election interference

JVL told listeners, stressing the case is not about election interference. The hosts blamed Marco Rubio for helping Bolsonaro "take refuge in the United States" and contrasted that with ICE detention of ordinary migrants.

The American ConservativeOct 28

TAC reported, adding that the result "provoked a crash in Brazilian financial markets." The one Religious Right receipt today framed Brazil as a market and party story. [460]

Al JazeeraOct 28

Al Jazeera wrote, centering his campaign manager's denial that he knew of the plan. [493]

World Socialist Web SiteOct 28

“Zewail and Yaghi also won the Wolf Prize in chemistry, one of the very awards Kennedy named.”World Socialist Web Site · rebutting Kennedy's claim that Arabs win no major science prizes, using his own cited awards against him

“Kennedy, meanwhile, deserves something of a Nobel Prize in reverse for his onslaught against medical science, particularly in the areas of vaccination and public health.”World Socialist Web Site · turning the science jab back on Kennedy and arguing his HHS tenure wages war on scientific knowledge

the WSWS wrote, then listed Arab Nobel and Fields laureates by name. It treated the remarks and Trump's "jihadist" attacks as one "fascist degradation," while faulting Obama for "canned jokes." [15][32]

TruthoutOct 28

Truthout wrote, citing a Marist poll finding 95% of Democrats backing El-Sayed. It also reported Rogers' "protect Elon" fundraising email.

NPROct 28

NPR reported from Ann Arbor. The one Liberal receipt centered gas, grocery and health care costs, and voters afraid to say whom they support.

PBS NewsHourOct 28

“There's 500 million Arabs in the world. And yet they don't produce science. They don't win the Nobel Prize.”Robert F. Kennedy Jr., U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary, quoted by PBS NewsHour · making a sweeping claim about Arabs at a rally for Mike Rogers, whose opponent Abdul El-Sayed is Muslim American and the child of Egyptian immigrants

“They have created stagnant societies that do one, two things hatred and war and victimization.”Robert F. Kennedy Jr., U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary, quoted by PBS NewsHour · blaming the Muslim Brotherhood for what he describes as the destruction of Arab intellectual tradition

Lisa Desjardins reported, airing the Kennedy clip inside a broader affordability segment. The BBC's rally piece compared Trump's and Obama's draw in Michigan.

National ReviewOct 28

“There's 500 million Arabs in the world and yet they don't produce science.”Robert F. Kennedy Jr., speaking at a Michigan campaign rally, quoted by National Review · the claim at the center of the controversy, which the video sets out to defend as broadly correct

“I really think everyone needs to pay attention to this coordinated campaign to delegitimize Muslim Americans, not just as citizens, but as humans.”Chris Murphy, Connecticut Senator, quoted by National Review · arguing the backlash-provoking rhetoric is part of a coordinated effort to dehumanize Muslim Americans

Rich Lowry said, citing Bernard Lewis on the decline of Islamic science. The camp split sharply: the Bulwark called them "wildly racist comments about Arabs," and on the Dispatch podcast Steve Hayes called the Rebellion PAC ad anti-semitic while Chuck Todd said the Israel aid issue still polls.

The BlazeOct 28

“There's 500 million Arabs in the world. And yet they don't produce science. They don't win the Nobel Prize.”Robert F. Kennedy Jr., HHS Secretary, quoted by The Blaze · blaming the Muslim Brotherhood for stagnant Arab societies at a Rogers and James campaign event in Grand Rapids

“it seems that they unintentionally — or intentionally — ignored the primary point he was making”The Blaze · arguing critics who cited Arab prize winners distorted a remark aimed at the Brotherhood, not Arab culture

the Blaze said of corporate media critics who listed Arab prize winners. Breitbart relayed Vance's claim that El-Sayed lied about being an immigrant, with the campaign's denial.

The Christian PostOct 28

The Christian Post reported Sen. Tim Scott linking El-Sayed's mother to an Osama bin Laden funding network, and added that El-Sayed "has pushed back against claims about his family." [464]

The ForwardOct 28

the Forward op-ed said of the Rebellion PAC ad, recalling the attack on Temple Israel and faulting El-Sayed for distancing himself without condemning it. A second Forward essay, by a Jewish canvasser for El-Sayed, argued Rogers' allies pose the greater threat to Jews.

MondoweissOct 28

Mondoweiss asked, running the same Marist analysis as Truthout. [549]

TheGrioOct 28

theGrio wrote, framing the NAACP statement inside its earlier reporting on ads using his full name. [599]

TruthoutOct 28

“I will, if they’re honest elections, yeah,”Donald Trump, President, quoted by Truthout · answering whether he would respect the midterm results, leaving acceptance dependent on his own judgment of honesty

“Trump’s most brazen attempt to interfere with this year’s elections took place in Alaska last week, when he ordered the Department of Justice (DOJ) to preemptively sue to block the state from certifying a U.S. Senate election if the incumbent Republican, a loyalist to the president, lost the race.”Truthout · arguing Trump is already acting to block certification of results he dislikes

Truthout wrote, walking through 2016, 2020 and 2024. Its Alaska story centered the state's filing that Washington "lacks authority to intervene in state elections at all." [66][71]

BBC NewsOct 28

“There's never been any evidence that there are many people who have done that, certainly not enough to influence an election.”Darrell West, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, quoted by BBC News · rebutting Trump's claim that non-citizen voting is widespread enough to threaten election outcomes

“found an average of about four cases of fraud out of every 10 million postal votes.”BBC News · putting a number on how rare mail-ballot fraud is, against Trump's 'rampant' claim

BBC Verify's headline answered Trump's claim, with conviction databases and state studies in the body. PBS ran a Georgia segment on rebuilding trust and a poll finding seven in 10 Republicans trust state and local elections.

The BlazeOct 28

the Blaze wrote of a USCIS official's sworn review of 200 flagged names, set against Los Angeles County's own count. It reported the $1 million offer straight and noted Trump "has long maintained" he was cheated in 2020.

World Socialist Web SiteOct 27

the WSWS headlined its Monday report on regional envoys in Tehran and the Hormuz blacklist. [29]

The InterceptOct 28

The Intercept wrote, relaying a US official's read of the leaked Iran-plotting memo. The piece centered destroyed bases in Bahrain and Qatar and called Hegseth "self-styled War Secretary." [58]

USA TodayOct 28

“The cost update, obtained by USA TODAY, is almost certainly a significant undercount of the total cost of the war as it does not include estimates about damage to U.S. bases and facilities across the Middle East that were hit by Iranian strikes.”USA Today · arguing the Pentagon's $47.1 billion figure leaves out damage to U.S. bases, so the true cost is higher

“I have a decision to make: Do I finish it off, which would be very easy to do, or do I make a deal?”Donald Trump, U.S. president, quoted by USA Today · signaling he may resume major bombing of Iran after the midterms despite the war's cost and unpopularity

USA Today wrote of the estimate, adding the Patriot drawdown and eight suicide attempts on the Lincoln strike group.

Washington ExaminerOct 28

the Examiner reported from Lubbock. The Bulwark gave a Trump-voting Alabama shrimper airtime on diesel prices "pushing fishermen and small businesses to the brink." [271][255]

The American ConservativeOct 28

TAC wrote of the Saudi, Turkish and Pakistani officials' talks in Tehran, closing on Brent crude and the $4.27 gallon. [461]

TheGrioOct 28

“We’re making a freaking fortune.”Donald Trump, President, quoted by TheGrio · boasting at a Georgia rally that oil and gas profits are rising because of the Iran war

“He created this mess so that his companies could make money and Black farmers could go out of business.”John Boyd, president and founder of the National Association of Black Farmers, quoted by TheGrio · accusing Trump of profiting from a war that is driving up diesel costs for farmers

theGrio wrote, citing a Joint Economic Committee Democrats' report and quoting Black farmers' leader John Boyd. Atlanta Black Star ran the same finding with Trump's "We’re making a fricking fortune" line.

Middle East EyeOct 28

Middle East Eye's Matilda Malinsson said of Yemen, centering the Houthi siege of Taiz and incubators switched off for lack of fuel. [611]

CNNOct 28

“That means only a fraction of the loss was actual spending during the first half of the year.”CNN · explaining that most of the $80 billion loss is an accounting change in note valuations, not cash burn

“If Anthropic’s models cause extreme harm, the company could face liability exceeding what its insurance can cover, the filing states.”CNN, citing Anthropic's SEC filing, quoted by CNN · disclosing that the company's own safety failures could produce uninsurable liability

CNN wrote, counting 93 pages of risk factors against Snap's 30 and Uber's 50. [111]

Al JazeeraOct 28

Al Jazeera wrote, placing the filing inside a global tech-stock rally led by SK Hynix. [494]

FuturismOct 28

“Put simply, the IPO almost certainly marks the first time a company is trying go public by arguing its own existence could be the source of humanity’s downfall.”Futurism · arguing the filing's existential-risk language is unprecedented for an IPO

At the same time, it’s not a stretch to assume there are ulterior motives for both the slowdown and Anthropic’s repeated warnings that AI poses “catastrophic or existential risks to society.”Futurism · suggesting Anthropic's safety messaging is a way to market itself to investors as the trustworthy player

Futurism wrote of how the filing frames Anthropic's own technology, calling its messaging "extremely muddled." [615]

TechCrunchOct 28

“The charge is non-cash, meaning no money left the company.”TechCrunch · clarifying that the $72.4 billion fair-value charge driving the headline loss involved no cash outflow

“the S-1 makes it clear that the biggest winners of Anthropic’s IPO may well be tech giants like Amazon, which backed a would-be rival early on and now sell it much of the computing power it runs on.”TechCrunch · arguing strategic cloud partners, not venture firms, capture the largest gains from the listing

TechCrunch concluded from the convertible-note math. The trade press split on governance: TechCrunch said public buyers are "being shut out of control," the Verge said "Anthropic wants to have it both ways," and WIRED said the filing "struck a humbler note" on biology than its CEO had.