Israeli Opposition Leaders Declare Victory Over Netanyahu

Opposition leaders interpreted the results as a decisive public rejection of the current administration. Gadi Eisenkot, whose bloc is expected to receive the first mandate to form a government, stated the outcome represents a complete lack of confidence in Netanyahu and the October 7th government. Eisenkot, along with Naftali Bennett, vowed to immediately coordinate and establish a Zionist enlistment government. Former Prime Minister Yair Lapid declared that the Netanyahu bloc suffered a severe defeat and that the public has told them to go home.

Despite the opposition's celebrations, the path to forming a coalition remains highly uncertain. Initial polls show that neither major bloc has secured a clear majority on its own, and Eisenkot's bloc falls short of a majority without the support of Arab parties. In response to the projections, Minister Miki Zohar warned opposition leaders against relying on Arab parties to form a coalition, predicting it would lead to their political demise. Meanwhile, liberal American Jewish groups, including J Street and New Jewish Narrative, celebrated the results as a rebuke to Netanyahu and urged the opposition to proceed with forming a government.