Israel election deadlock as exit polls show no clear majority
Early results indicate neither Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc nor Gadi Eisenkot's opposition is likely to secure the 61 seats needed for a Knesset majority, prompting weeks of coalition talks.
By early Wednesday afternoon, election officials had counted more than 70% of ballots, and exit polls suggested that neither bloc would reach the 61 seats required for a straightforward majority in the Knesset. Netanyahu's Likud-led coalition is projected to hold about 54 seats, while Eisenkot's centrist bloc is estimated at roughly 49, with Arab parties expected to win up to 17 seats.
Both leaders addressed supporters after the vote. Eisenkot, a former Israeli military chief of staff, said, "Tonight we got the answer: The public opted for change," while Netanyahu told his base that Likud emerged as the largest party and urged the formation of a strong right-wing government.
Analysts note that the fragmented result could lead to prolonged negotiations, and if no coalition is formed, a second election may be required. President Isaac Herzog will decide which leader to task with assembling a governing majority.
The Arab parties' strong showing positions them as potential kingmakers, though both Netanyahu and Eisenkot have expressed reservations about partnering with them. Eisenkot pledged to build "a stable Zionist government" without naming specific coalition partners.
The election, the first since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, recorded the highest turnout in at least 25 years, reflecting deep public engagement with Israel's political direction amid ongoing regional conflict.