Israeli Election Exit Polls Show Slight Lead for 'Change Bloc,' Likud Largest Party

By כתבי ynet

Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba

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Hebrew · 3 newsrooms covering

Exit polls from Israel's 26th Knesset elections show a slight lead for the "change bloc" with the Likud party emerging as the largest. Arab parties are projected to gain significant seats. Several party leaders reacted to the results, with some calling for a change in government and others criticizing potential coalition partners. The national voter turnout was approximately 77.7%, the highest in over two decades, as vote counting begins.

The story in 6 lines · by baba

Exit polls indicate a slight lead for the 'change bloc' in Israel's 26th Knesset elections.
The Likud party is projected to be the largest single party according to the polls.
Arab parties are expected to see a significant increase in their seat count.
High national voter turnout reached approximately 77.7%, the highest since 2001.
Party leaders reacted to the polls, with calls for government change and criticism of potential coalitions.
Several parties, including 'Am Israel,' are projected to fall below the electoral threshold.

Exit polls released following the close of voting in Israel's 26th Knesset elections indicate a narrow advantage for the "change bloc" over the incumbent bloc led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Likud party is projected to be the largest single party, while Arab parties are expected to see a significant increase in their seat count. The overall results suggest a complex parliamentary landscape, with no clear majority for either bloc based on initial projections.

Leaders from various parties reacted to the exit poll results. Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir expressed hope for his party's strength and criticized the idea of a "unity government" with Gadi Eisenkot, calling it a "government of paralysis." Ofer Winter, leader of the "Am Israel" party, which appears to have fallen below the electoral threshold, lamented a "despicable campaign" against his movement and called for a broad Jewish government not reliant on Arab parties.

Yair Golan, leader of the "Democrats," declared it a "historic moment" and that the public had "fired" Netanyahu, emphasizing the responsibility to prevent the Prime Minister from initiating a war for political reasons. Avigdor Lieberman of "Yisrael Beiteinu" called for a "rebellion within the Likud" to remove Netanyahu, whom he accused of acting like a "crime boss," and suggested the possibility of forming a coalition with a different Likud leader.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid stated that Netanyahu's bloc suffered a "crushing defeat" and that the public had told them to "go home." Gadi Eisenkot, leader of "Yash!," interpreted the polls as a "complete lack of faith" in Netanyahu and pledged to act immediately to implement the public's decision. Yosef Jabareen, chairman of the Joint List, expressed satisfaction with his party's projected performance, stating they had achieved their goal of a strong, unified list.

The Central Elections Committee reported a high national voter turnout of approximately 77.7%, the highest since 2001. The committee is now proceeding with the vote counting process, with final results expected to be published gradually. The process includes the counting of double envelopes, which may delay the final tally until Friday morning. Several parties, including "Am Israel," "HaMeyuladnim-HaKalkalit," and "HaTzibur HaHaredi," are projected to fall below the electoral threshold based on the exit polls.