Israeli exit polls released after the national elections on October 27, 2026, indicate a political deadlock, posing a critical challenge for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The projections show Gadi Eisenkot's bloc edging out Netanyahu's Likud-led camp, but without a clear pathway to forming a government.
Record Turnout Amidst Tensions
Voter turnout reached 77.7%, the highest in over 20 years, reflecting heightened public engagement amid the ongoing conflict. This figure is approximately 7 percentage points higher than the previous election in 2022.
The Netanyahu bloc has suffered a crushing defeat. This is a total collapse and the public has told them to go home.
Yair Lapid, Opposition Leader
Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, has expressed reluctance to partner with Arab parties, which could limit his options for forming a majority. Initial exit polls from major Israeli networks did show a potential for Netanyahu's camp to secure 60 seats, further complicating the political equation.
This election marks the first since the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023, and the subsequent military actions in Gaza and Lebanon. The political climate remains fraught with tension, as Netanyahu faces criticism for his handling of the security situation.
Yohanan Plesner, president of the Israel Democracy Institute, highlighted the exit polls as a significant setback for Netanyahu’s coalition, which previously held 68 seats. However, he noted that Eisenkot has not emerged as a definitive victor.
The election outcome may lead to a minority government under Eisenkot, which could push Netanyahu from power temporarily.
As the counting process continues, smaller parties could emerge as kingmakers in the fragmented Knesset system, where no party has achieved an outright majority.
Netanyahu, who has been a dominant figure in Israeli politics for nearly 19 of the last 30 years, campaigns amid ongoing corruption allegations and public dissatisfaction over security failures.