Israel election: Exit polls suggest no clear winner with Eisenkot's bloc neck and neck with Netanyahu
Israel's election concluded without a clear winner, leaving the political futures of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition challenger Gadi Eisenkot hanging in the balance. Exit polls indicate that the two blocs are running neck and neck, with neither securing a parliamentary majority. High voter turnout marked the national vote, which serves as the first general election since the October 7 Hamas massacre. The deadlock sets the stage for weeks of political maneuvering before any leader can secure a mandate to form a government, while strong showings from Arab parties could further complicate coalition building.
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- ✓ Israel's election ended Tuesday with exit polls indicating no clear winner and a projected tie between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition challenger Gadi Eisenkot.
- ✓ Neither major bloc secured a parliamentary majority, pointing to weeks of coalition jockeying.
- ✓ Arab parties are predicted to reach a combined total of 17 to 18 seats.
- ✓ Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot stated he is ready to form a government.
What changed
Exit polls shifted as the night progressed, moving from an initial small coalition lead for Netanyahu to a tie between his bloc and Gadi Eisenkot's camp.
Live updates
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Israel Election Ends in Deadlock as Exit Polls Show Tie
Israel's election concluded without a clear winner, leaving the political futures of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition challenger Gadi Eisenkot hanging in the balance. Exit polls indicate that the two blocs are running neck and neck, with neither securing a parliamentary majority. High voter turnout marked the national vote, which serves as the first general election since the October 7 Hamas massacre. The deadlock sets the stage for weeks of political maneuvering before any leader can secure a mandate to form a government, while strong showings from Arab parties could further complicate coalition building.
Why it matters
This election functions as a direct referendum on Benjamin Netanyahu's long-standing leadership and coalition governance during a period of profound national trauma following the October 7 attacks. Arab parties are projected to win 17 to 18 seats, potentially positioning them as key players in the government formation process. President Isaac Herzog will ultimately task the candidate he deems best placed to establish a ruling coalition once official results are finalized.
What is confirmed
- Israel's election ended Tuesday with exit polls indicating no clear winner and a projected tie between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition challenger Gadi Eisenkot.
- Neither major bloc secured a parliamentary majority, pointing to weeks of coalition jockeying.
- Arab parties are predicted to reach a combined total of 17 to 18 seats.
- Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot stated he is ready to form a government.
Still unconfirmed
- Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that his right-wing bloc won a decisive majority among the Zionist public.
What to watch next
- President Isaac Herzog tasking a candidate to form a government
- Official election results replacing exit poll projections
- Coalition negotiations involving Arab parties and major political blocs
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (22)
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- Reuters — Netanyahu's political survival on the line as Israel votes
- BBC — High voter turnout for Israel election with two hours until polls due to close
- The New York Times — What to Expect Now That Polls Are Closed in Israel
- www.newsday.com — The Latest: Israelis vote in a tense election seen as a referendum on Netanyahu - Newsday
- www.cnbc.com — Exit polls show a rebuke of Netanyahu but no clear winner in Israel's election
- The Economist — Israeli voters have given Binyamin Netanyahu’s coalition a drubbing
- Fox News — Israelis vote in record numbers in first national election since the Oct. 7 Hamas massacre
- Al Jazeera — Arab parties could win 18 seats in Israeli elections, exit polls suggest
- www.jpost.com — Israel election exit polls: Benjamin Netanyahu, Gadi Eisenkot ...
- The Times of Israel — Netanyahu: Right-wing bloc won 'decisive majority' among the Zionist public; claims 'Iran weaker than ever, Israel stronger than ever'
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