Netanyahu and Eisenkot Claim Leadership Post-Election Amidst Uncertain Outcome

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his main rival Gadi Eisenkot have both asserted claims to leadership following Israeli elections, as exit polls indicate no clear majority for either bloc in the 120-seat Knesset. Neither politician has declared victory. Netanyahu called for the formation of a "strong right-wing national government," while Eisenkot, leader of "Yahad!" and a former military chief, stated that voters had rejected Netanyahu's premiership and urged him to leave politics. "Netanyahu is a temporary prime minister without a mandate or the people's trust," Eisenkot declared, also calling on security forces to "firmly resist" any attempts to prioritize political interests over national security.

Exit polls from Kan 11 and Channel 13 News show an even split of 51 seats for each bloc, with Channel 12 News giving Netanyahu's bloc a slight edge of 52 to 49. Arab parties, not aligned with the main blocs, could be a decisive factor, though Eisenkot has largely ruled out forming a government with them. Far-right religious parties led by Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich are projected to win a combined 13 seats but are not expected to achieve significant gains.

Speaking to supporters, Netanyahu referenced Israel's military successes and spoke of potential joint actions with US President Donald Trump against Iran, stating, "Israel, together with our partner, President Trump, has a unique historical opportunity to eliminate the existential threat from Iran once and for all. But hidden motives must not distract us from this sacred mission." The current situation could allow Netanyahu to remain acting prime minister during prolonged coalition negotiations, potentially until new elections.

Final results are expected by Thursday or Friday. If no bloc can form a government, repeat elections will be necessary, a scenario Eisenkot opposes given the high voter turnout. The Central Elections Committee reported a 77.7% turnout, the highest in over two decades and approximately 7 percentage points higher than in 2022. Yohanan Plesner, president of the Israel Democracy Institute, described the exit poll results as a significant blow to Netanyahu's coalition but cautioned that Eisenkot is not a clear winner and the picture may change as votes are counted.

Eisenkot, 66, who lost his son and two nephews in the Gaza war, entered politics four years ago. He joined Netanyahu's war cabinet after the October 7th Hamas attack but left eight months later, criticizing the prime minister's leadership. Eisenkot advocates for a break with Netanyahu and his far-right allies, while maintaining a tough security stance, opposing Palestinian statehood and believing Hamas's military wing must be destroyed. Faten Ghataas, a candidate from the "United List," stated at their headquarters, "We reject occupation and racism, and we will remain here." Arab candidates had hoped high turnout would enable them to play a decisive role in preventing Netanyahu's coalition from returning.