Story perspectives

Election projections show Netanyahu, Eisenkot blocs fall short

By Drooid · Oct 27, 2026, 2:02 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Israeli voters cast ballots on Tuesday, Oct 27 2026, to fill the 120-seat Knesset.
Polls on Friday projected Netanyahu’s bloc at 50 seats and Eisenkot’s opposition bloc at 54, below a 61-seat majority.
About 7.3 million Israelis, including roughly 1.2 million Palestinian citizens, are eligible to vote; abroad voters need a special absentee ballot.
Both coalitions refuse to join a government with Arab parties; Arab lists could win 15 seats if turnout reaches 65 %.

History

Historical Context

The 1977 Israeli legislative election, held on 17 May 1977, shattered Labor’s three-decade dominance when Likud, led by Menachem Begin, secured 43 Knesset seats. The Israeli Central Elections Committee reported an 81 percent voter turnout, and the new coalition excluded Arab parties, limiting their representation to four seats. Today's October 27, 2026 vote mirrors that legacy, as Netanyahu’s bloc and Eisenkot’s opposition refuse Arab participation, while Arab lists aim for 15 seats if turnout reaches 65 percent. The 1977 precedent shows that exclusionary coalition tactics can fragment parliamentary majorities, prompting repeated deadlocks and future reforms to broaden coalition inclusivity.

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Story summary

Israeli voters cast ballots on Tuesday, Oct 27 2026, to fill the 120-seat Knesset.
Polls on Friday projected Netanyahu’s bloc at 50 seats and Eisenkot’s opposition bloc at 54, below a 61-seat majority.
About 7.3 million Israelis, including roughly 1.2 million Palestinian citizens, are eligible to vote; abroad voters need a special absentee ballot.
Both coalitions refuse to join a government with Arab parties; Arab lists could win 15 seats if turnout reaches 65 %.

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