Israeli Election sees highest turnout in 45 years as Netanyahu and Eisenkot vie for power
Voter participation reached a 45-year high while Israel's election pits Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, with coalition talks expected to determine the next government.
Turnout in Israel's national election hit 16.68% by 10 a.m., the highest early-day participation since 1981, according to the Central Elections Committee. The surge, described by Israel Democracy Institute fellow Ofer Kenig as a sign of enthusiasm for a pivotal vote, comes as the country chooses between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud and the centrist Yashar party led by former chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot.
Netanyahu, who has served as prime minister for a record 19 years, faces a challenger who has positioned himself as a unifying figure. Eisenkot told voters he would be “prime minister of everyone” if elected and warned against “Netanyahu’s scare tactics.” Defense Minister Israel Katz framed the election as a choice between a “decisive approach” to security and a “policy of containment and restraint.”
Prominent politicians, including former prime minister Naftali Bennett, opposition leader Yair Lapid, and President Isaac Herzog, have all cast their ballots and urged citizens to vote. Herzog said, “We are all equal, this is our day to go, to influence and to vote.”
In the United States, President Donald Trump posted a full endorsement of Netanyahu, calling him a “Great Warrior Prime Minister” and suggesting a possible escalation against Iran if its policies do not change. Netanyahu thanked Trump for the “tremendous support.”
Analysts note that no party is expected to win an outright majority; coalition building will likely determine the next government. Polls show a close race, with Channel 12 giving Eisenkot a projected 23 seats and Likud 21, while Channel 14 projects Likud at 30 seats and Eisenkot at 20. The election is also viewed as a referendum on Netanyahu’s leadership after the October 7 security failure and ongoing conflicts.
Voters expressed a range of hopes, from unity and economic stability to concerns about security and cost of living. The final composition of the Knesset and the ensuing coalition negotiations are expected to unfold over the coming weeks.