Israeli Election Exit Polls Show Likud Leading, High Voter Turnout

Exit polls released by Israeli media outlets indicate the Likud party is leading in the ongoing Israeli elections. Channel 12's projections show Likud with 24 seats, followed by "Yisrael Beiteinu" with 22, and Bayit Yehudi with 12. The Joint List is projected to receive 11 seats, with the Democratic Union at 9, and "Yisrael Beiteinu" also at 9. Other parties like Shas, United Torah Judaism, and Ra'am are projected to win between 6 and 8 seats. Another set of projections from "Kan 11" shows Likud with 25 seats, "Yisrael Beiteinu" with 21, and Bayit Yehudi with 14. The Joint List is projected at 10 seats, with the Democratic Union also at 10. Voter turnout reached a record high, with approximately 5.5 million voters casting ballots by 8 PM, a turnout of 74.3%. This represents an 8% increase compared to the same time in the 2022 elections. In the Arab community, voter turnout exceeded 75% by 9 PM, according to sources from the Joint List campaign. The acting director-general of the Central Elections Committee estimated that the overall turnout could reach 80% by the close of polls if the current pace continues. The Likud party is preparing for a scenario where it emerges as the largest party, even if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc does not secure a majority to form a government. Internal party estimates suggest Netanyahu might declare an early victory and call for a unity government under his leadership if coalition formation proves difficult for the blocs.