Full coverage· Politics· Updated 01:32

Election Polls Show No Clear Majority for Any Bloc

Exit polls from Israel's 26th Knesset elections on Tuesday indicate a highly fragmented political landscape with no clear majority for either major bloc. National voter turnout reached approximately 77.7%, the highest since 2001. While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party emerged as the largest single party, projected to win between 24 and 30 seats, his ruling coalition suffered a significant decline, dropping to an estimated 50 to 51 seats from its previous 68.

12 newsrooms · 2 languages · since 27 Oct, 20:03

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Election Polls Show No Clear Majority for Any Bloc — Illustration by baba

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What happened

01Exit polls from Israel's 26th Knesset elections show no political bloc securing the 61-seat majority required to form a government.
02Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party remains the largest single party, projected to win between 24 and 30 seats.
03Netanyahu's ruling coalition suffered a major setback, with projections showing its strength reduced to approximately 50 or 51 seats.
04The opposition "change bloc" is projected to win 50 to 53 seats, with Gadi Eisenkot's Yishar party winning 19 to 23 seats.
05Arab parties achieved historic gains in the election, with projections estimating they will secure between 16 and 18 seats.
06National voter turnout reached approximately 77.7%, marking the highest participation rate in Israel since the 2001 elections.
07Gadi Eisenkot and Yair Golan declared the results a public rejection of Netanyahu, while Itamar Ben-Gvir warned against a unity government.

The opposition "change bloc," led by Gadi Eisenkot of the Yishar party, is projected to win between 50 and 53 seats, with Yishar itself expected to secure 19 to 23 seats. Arab parties achieved historic gains, with projections placing them at 16 to 18 seats. Several smaller parties, including "Am Israel" and "HaMiluimnikim VeHaKalkalit," failed to pass the electoral threshold, while Kikar HaShabbat reported that Yisrael Beiteinu also fell below it.

Political figures reacted swiftly to the projections. Gadi Eisenkot called the results a vote of no confidence in Netanyahu's government and vowed to work immediately to form a "Zionist enlistment government." Yair Golan, leader of the Democrats, declared that the public had "fired" Netanyahu, presenting a historic opportunity for change. Conversely, Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir criticized the prospect of a unity government with Eisenkot, calling it a "government of paralysis."

Commentators and analysts, including Amit Segal, described the results as a major failure for Netanyahu, though they noted that the path to forming a new government remains highly uncertain. Potential scenarios include a minority government supported by Arab parties, a unity government, or a deadlock leading to repeat elections. The final outcome will be determined as the Central Elections Committee continues to count the votes.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 12 newsrooms. Updated 04:01