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Netanyahu’s Likud Leads Election as Opposition Falls Short

By Drooid · Oct 28, 2026, 00:20 UTC · How we work

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Summary

Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party emerged as the largest party in the election.
Exit polls project the opposition at 52 seats, Netanyahu’s bloc at 50, and Arab parties at 18.
Arab voter surge could raise Arab lists to 17-18 seats, up from 10.
Opposition candidate Gadi Eisenkot said voters want change and pledged a Zionist government with conscription.
If no coalition forms, Israel may face another election, as occurred between 2019-2022.

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Story summary

Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party emerged as the largest party in the election.
Exit polls project the opposition at 52 seats, Netanyahu’s bloc at 50, and Arab parties at 18.
Arab voter surge could raise Arab lists to 17-18 seats, up from 10.
Opposition candidate Gadi Eisenkot said voters want change and pledged a Zionist government with conscription.
If no coalition forms, Israel may face another election, as occurred between 2019-2022.