Netanyahu and Eisenkot Face Deadlock in Israeli Election

Exit polls released by Israel’s major television networks indicated that the bloc led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the opposition bloc headed by former general Gadi Eisenkot each secured roughly 51 seats in the 120-member Knesset, short of the 61 seats required for a governing majority. Arab parties were projected to win about 18 seats. By the time more than half the ballots had been counted, the Central Elections Committee reported 27 seats for Likud and 21 seats for Eisenkot’s Yashar party, numbers expected to shift as the official count proceeds. Voter turnout reached 77.7 %, the highest since 1999.

Israeli Exit Polls Point to Difficult Coalition Talks after Election The Guardian

The election was widely framed as a referendum on the 77-year-old Netanyahu, whose tenure has been shadowed by an International Criminal Court warrant for alleged war crimes and accusations of genocide in Gaza. Participation by Israeli citizens of Palestinian origin—about 20 % of the population—was a record, reflecting a push for greater political voice after years of boycott. The contest follows a period of repeated elections (2019-2022) that produced five separate votes.

The Guardian

Eisenkot urged immediate action to replace the Netanyahu government and establish a Zionist administration committed to military service. Former Prime Minister Yair Lapid declared the results a “crushing defeat” for Netanyahu’s bloc and called for the government to step down. The Central Elections Committee rejected attempts by several parties to keep polling stations open beyond the 10 pm deadline.

Israeli Exit Polls Point to Difficult Coalition Talks after Election

• Turnout: 77.7 % (? 7 million eligible voters)

The Guardian

• Projected seats: Netanyahu bloc ~51, Eisenkot bloc ~51, Arab parties ~18

Israeli Exit Polls Point to Difficult Coalition Talks after Election

• Likud (Netanyahu’s party): 24-25 seats (partial count 27)

Israeli Exit Polls Point to Difficult Coalition Talks after Election

• Yashar (Eisenkot’s party): 21-23 seats (partial count 21)

Israeli Exit Polls Point to Difficult Coalition Talks after Election

• No bloc reached the 61-seat majority threshold.

Israeli Exit Polls Point to Difficult Coalition Talks after Election

With neither side able to command a majority, coalition negotiations are expected to continue over the coming weeks. If talks stall, Netanyahu could remain in a caretaker role while opposition parties attempt to form an alternative coalition, raising the prospect of a snap election.

The Guardian

• “We must put in place a strong government of the right,” — Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli prime minister

The Guardian

• “Netanyahu’s bloc has suffered a crushing defeat. This is a total collapse. The public has told them to get out.” — Yair Lapid, former prime minister

The Guardian