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Exit Polls Tie Netanyahu, Opposition as Arab Parties Kingmakers

By Drooid · Oct 29, 2026 · How we work

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Summary

Gadi Eisenkot declared victory for opposition after exit polls tied it with Benjamin Netanyahu’s.
Exit polls gave both blocs 51 seats and the Yashar party 21-22 seats.
Arab parties were forecast to win 18 seats, making them potential kingmakers.
Avigdor Liberman cut ties with the bloc, refused Netanyahu’s coalition and urged a probe.
Joint List chairman Yousef Jabareen said his party would help oust Netanyahu by supporting a minority government.

History

On 17 May 1977 Israel’s ninth Knesset election ended three decades of Labor rule when Menachem Begin’s Likud captured 43 seats versus the Alignment’s 32, a result announced as “the upheaval.” The new government depended on religious and Arab-aligned parties, proving minority blocs could unseat incumbents. Today’s opposition surge, led by Gadi Eisenkot’s bloc and the Joint List, mirrors that historic pattern.

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On 17 May 1977 Israel’s ninth Knesset election ended three decades of Labor rule when Menachem Begin’s Likud captured 43 seats versus the Alignment’s 32, a result announced as “the upheaval.” The new government depended on religious and Arab-aligned parties, proving minority blocs could unseat incumbents. Today’s opposition surge, led by Gadi Eisenkot’s bloc and the Joint List, mirrors that historic pattern.

1 / 2