Israel election: Anti-Netanyahu bloc ahead, but no majority

Left · 2

• Israeli exit polls: Netanyahu, Eisenkot blocs running close, both shy of majorityaxios.com · cred 5/10

  <p><a href="https://www.axios.com/world/israel" target="_blank">Israeli</a> Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's far-right coalition is locked in a tight race with opponent Gadi Eisenkot's bloc, but both are below a 61-seat majority, according to Israeli exit polls. </p><ul><li>The exit polls show <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/10/26/eisenkot-netanyahu-israel-elections" target="_blank">Eisenkot's</a> bloc with 51 to 53 seats, <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/10/25/netanyahu-trump-israeli-elections" target="_blank">Netanyahu's</a> with 50 to 51, and Arab parties with 17 to 18.</li></ul><p><strong>Why it matters:</strong> If Eisenkot ekes out a win, he would have to try to swear in a minority government supported by the two Arab parties. It's unclear whether all of his political partners would agree to do that. </p><ul><li>After Eisenkot's bloc emerged with a small lead in early exit poll results, Netanyahu's coalition closed much or all of the gap.</li><li>The uncertainty could leave Israelis in political limbo as they await official results and potentially a drawn-out fight to form a government.</li></ul><hr /><p><strong>What they're saying: </strong>Eisenkot said that the exit poll results "point to an unequivocal lack of confidence in Netanyahu and the government responsible for Oct. 7, on the part of the Zionist majority and the majority of Israeli citizens. If these results hold, it will be a victory for Israel's Zionist, pro-state majority."</p><ul><li>He added, "I will act immediately to implement the people's verdict, replace Netanyahu's government, and establish a Zionist government committed to military service, as soon as possible."</li></ul><p><strong>Driving the news:</strong> The exit poll results came after voters flocked to polling stations throughout the day, with turnout reaching a <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/10/27/israel-election-turnout-netanyahu" target="_blank">three-decade high</a>. It was the culmination of a campaign that each side warned would lead to catastrophe if the other side won.</p><ul><li>An Eisenkot-bloc victory would offer Israel a chance to reset its strained relationships abroad and chart a new course domestically. The former Israel Defense Forces chief of staff, however, vowed to maintain a hawkish approach on security matters.</li></ul><p><strong>Yes, but: </strong>Though Eisenkot's bloc slightly outpaced Netanyahu's, the incumbent prime minister's Likud Party received more seats than Eisenkot's Yashar Party, per the exit polls. </p><ul><li>But because Israel has a parliamentary system, the bloc totals are what ultimately matter.</li></ul><p><strong>Go deeper: </strong><a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/10/27/israel-election-turnout-netanyahu" target="_blank">Israeli turnout hits three-decade high</a></p>

  • · Israeli exit polls show Gadi Eisenkot's bloc with 51 to 53 seats
  • · Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc with 50 to 51 seats
• Netanyahu’s fortunes improve but without clear path to outright victorythehill.com · cred 5/10

  JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s fortunes changed Wednesday as vote counting in Israel wound down, with his Likud party and coalition partners edging out the leading competitor, retired Gen. Gadi Eisenkot. Netanyahu’s Likud party was projected to hold 26 seats in Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, with more than 80 percent of the votes...

  • · Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party and coalition partners edged out the leading competitor, retired Gen. Gadi Eisenkot.
  • · Netanyahu’s Likud party was projected to hold 26 seats in Israel’s parliament, the Knesset.

Center / Wire · 14

• Israel election: Netanyahu-led bloc in slight lead with half of votes counteddw.com · cred 8/10

  While partial results show the pro-Netanyahu bloc ahead of the anti-Netanyahu bloc, the final tally could take days. Neither grouping is expected to win a majority, with tough coalition talks ahead. Follow DW.

  • · Pro-Netanyahu bloc leads with 54 seats as of 76.8% of votes counted.
  • · Anti-Netanyahu bloc has 47 seats, with Ra'am gaining two seats to reach 19.
• Israel exit polls show no clear winner as Netanyahu and rivals fall short of majoritytimesofindia.indiatimes.com · cred 8/10
  • · Exit polls show a deadlock between Netanyahu's bloc and the opposition led by Gadi Eisenkot, with both projected at 51 seats each.
  • · Turnout reached 77.7%, the highest since 1999.
• Israel election: Anti-Netanyahu bloc ahead, but no majoritydw.com · cred 8/10

  While Netanyahu's party is projected to be the biggest in parliament, the anti-Netanyahu coalition looks set to have more seats. But no bloc has a clear majority.

  • · Israel's election turnout was the highest in decades.
  • · As of 11:00 a.m. local time, just over 76% of the vote was counted with a Likud-led bloc holding a lead.
• Israel election: Exit polls show no clear winner, with Netanyahu's fate uncleardw.com · cred 7/10

  While Netanyahu's party is projected to be the biggest in parliament, two out of three exit polls show his bloc even with the opposition. No bloc has a clear majority. DW has the latest.

  • · Israel's election turnout was the highest in decades
  • · As of 7:30 a.m. local time, just over 50% of the vote was counted with no clear winner
• Arab parties could win record 18 seats in Israel election, exit polls showaljazeera.com · cred 7/10

  Record-breaking voter turnout among Palestinian citizens of Israel hits around 80 percent, early indications show.

  • · Arab parties are projected to win 19 seats in the Israeli parliament, exit polls indicate.
  • · Voter turnout among Palestinian citizens of Israel reached around 80 percent, historic numbers that break 1999 records.
• Israel: opposition supporters celebrate narrow lead in exit pollseuronews.com · cred 7/10

  Supporters of Gadi Eisenkot celebrated in Tel Aviv as exit polls gave Israel's opposition bloc a narrow lead over Benjamin Netanyahu's camp, but no outright parliamentary majority.

  • · Exit polls gave Israel's opposition bloc a narrow lead over Benjamin Netanyahu's camp
  • · Anti-Netanyahu bloc projected at 52–53 seats vs. 50 for Netanyahu's allies
• Netanyahu's bloc leading Israel election but short of majority, partial results showbbc.co.uk · cred 7/10

  With 85% of ballots counted, Netanyahu's Likud party and its allies are set to win 53 seats in the 120-seat Knesset.

  • · With 85% of ballots counted, Netanyahu's Likud party and its allies are set to win 53 seats in the 12,000-seat Knesset.
  • · Eisenkot's Yashar party and three other Jewish opposition parties in his bloc are set for 48 seats.
• Exit polls suggest no clear victor in Israeli electioneuronews.com · cred 7/10

  Turnout for the election - Israel's first since Hamas' 7 October 2023 attacks - hit over 77%, according to Israel's Central Elections Committee.

  • · Turnout for the election - Israel's first since Hamas' 7 October 2023 attacks - hit over 77%, according to Israel's Central Elections Committee.
  • · Netanyahu's bloc was projected to win 56 of the 120 seats in the parliament, compared with 49 for the opposition bloc and 15 for the Arab parties.
• The Israeli election hurt Netanyahu, but the country is still stuckrt-english.com · cred 7/10

  <img align="left" alt="Preview" src="https://mf.b37mrtl.ru/files/2026.10/thumbnail/6ae205112030270cc5380e22.jpg" style="margin-right: 10px;" /> High turnout exposed deep fatigue with crisis and war, yet coalition deadlock means no clear path to a calmer regional course <br /><a href="https://rt-english.com/news/647918-israel-election-netanyahu-stuck/?utm_source=rss&amp;utm_medium=rss&amp;utm_campaign=RSS">Read Full Article at RT.com</a>

  • · Israel held parliamentary elections with a turnout of 77.7%, the highest since 1999.
  • · Netanyahu’s Likud party is projected to secure 54 seats, while the opposition bloc is projected to secure 47 seats.
• Netanyahu's coalition draws ahead in Israel's tight election racesemafor.com · cred 6/10

  Israel’s first general election since the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks has largely been seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership.

  • · Netanyahu's coalition took a slight lead in a tight election race
  • · Results defied exit poll projections
• How could Israel break election deadlock? Here are four scenariosbbc.co.uk · cred 6/10

  With 85% of votes counted, all signs point to an impasse. The most likely outcome may be new elections.

  • · 85% of votes counted after Tuesday's election
  • · Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition and Gadi Eisenkot's bloc unlikely to secure majority
• Netanyahu: Coalition with Arab parties would be ‘shameful’aljazeera.com · cred 5/10

  Netanyahu has called the prospect of working with Arab parties to form a government ‘a disgrace and a shame’.

  • · Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the prospect of working with Arab parties to form a government 'a disgrace and a shame'.
  • · Exit polls show neither his party nor the opposition are projected to secure the 61 Knesset seats needed for a majority.
• Israel faces prospect of parliament without a majority after crucial electionslemonde.fr · cred 5/10

  Provisional results on Wednesday morning showed significant losses for Netanyahu's bloc, but the opposition, led by Gadi Eisenkot, failed to unseat Likud as the largest party. Neither bloc is in a position to form a government. Arab parties made historic gains and play a role in future coalitions.

  • · Provisional results showed significant losses for Netanyahu's bloc
  • · Gadi Eisenkot's opposition failed to unseat Likud as the largest party
• Exit polls show Israeli rejection of current Netanyahu coalition, but uncertainty on its replacementtimesofisrael.com · cred 5/10

  Bloc of parties opposed to PM projected to win overwhelming majority, but still don't have path to replace Netanyahu unless its leaders violate campaign pledges not to partner with Arab parties, which are set to win unprecedented gains<figure><img border="0" class="type:primaryImage" height="100" src="https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2026/10/IMG_1820-1024x640.jpg" title="Exit polls show Israeli rejection of current Netanyahu coalition, but uncertainty on its replacement" width="160" /></figure>

  • · Exit polls indicate Israeli voters have rejected the current Netanyahu coalition
  • · A bloc of parties opposed to PM Netanyahu is projected to win an overwhelming majority

Right · 10

• Netanyahu vs Eisenkot: Israel exit polls point to a clash between PM, ex-army chieftimesofindia.indiatimes.com · cred 7/10

  The Yashar party leader has emerged as a central opposition figure as exit polls suggest a deadlock, with neither camp projected to secure the 61 seats needed to form a government.

  • · Exit polls suggest a deadlock between Netanyahu's bloc and Gadi Eisenkot's opposition bloc.
  • · Neither side is projected to secure the 61 seats needed for a majority.
• Israelis vote in record numbers in first national election since the Oct 7 Hamas massacrefoxnews.com · cred 7/10

  Israel election exit polls show Benjamin Netanyahu&apos;s Likud and Gadi Eisenkot&apos;s Yashar locked in a fight with neither bloc reaching 61 Knesset seats.

  • · Exit polls show Netanyahu's Likud with 53 seats, opposition with 49, Arab parties with 19.
  • · Total Knesset seats: 120, opposition and Arab parties combined have 68 seats.
• Netanyahu defies exit polls as vote shifts in his favor, but majority remains elusivefoxnews.com · cred 7/10

  With 70% of votes counted, Benjamin Netanyahu&apos;s Likud leads, but three possible paths to government formation keep Israel&apos;s election uncertain.

  • · With 70% of votes counted, Netanyahu's right-wing and religious bloc has 54 seats in the 120-seat Knesset.
  • · Netanyahu's Likud holds 27 seats, while Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party holds 2,0.
• Voting Closes in Israel, Exit Polls Show No Clear Winnertheamericanconservative.com · cred 7/10

  <p>State of the Union: Both Netanyahu's coalition and the opposition bloc fell short of a majority.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.theamericanconservative.com/voting-closes-in-israel-exit-polls-show-no-clear-winner/">Voting Closes in Israel, Exit Polls Show No Clear Winner</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.theamericanconservative.com">The American Conservative</a>.</p>

  • · Voting closed in Israel’s general election Tuesday evening.
  • · Exit poll results suggest neither Netanyahu nor his opponents secured control of the Knesset.
• Netanyahu wins Israel elections, but his coalition falls short of a majorityenglish.elpais.com · cred 7/10

  The bloc supporting the prime minister is projected to win 56 of the 120 seats, and the Jewish opposition, 48, with more than 66% of the votes counted. The Arab parties will play a key role in the negotiations

  • · Netanyahu's bloc is projected to win 56 of 120 seats
  • · Jewish opposition bloc is projected to win 48 seats
• Five key takeaways from Israel’s parliamentary electionsaljazeera.com · cred 7/10

  Netanyahu&#039;s Likud emerges as single largest Israeli party, bloc edges past opposition.

  • · Netanyahu’s bloc holds slight lead over opposition with 56 Knesset seats.
  • · Eisenkot’s alliance is at 49 Knesset seats.
• 'Whole tide turned': Trump takes credit for Netanyahu's showing in Israel electionstimesofindia.indiatimes.com · cred 7/10
  • · Donald Trump claimed his endorsement helped Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel's 26th Knesset election.
  • · Partial results showed Netanyahu's bloc securing 55 seats, against 49 for the anti-Netanyahu bloc.
• Israel’s Inconclusive Election Hands Netanyahu Another Windailywire.com · cred 6/10

  In the frantic hours after Israelis cast their ballots on Tuesday, early exit polls briefly suggested that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s reign might finally be coming to an end. But as official tallies filtered into Wednesday morning, political reality emerged: while Netanyahu fell short of an outright parliamentary majority, he remains firmly in control of Israel’s political destiny. With roughly ...

  • · Netanyahu’s Right-wing and religious alliance has around 54 seats
  • · Anti-Netanyahu 'change bloc' led by Gadi Eisenkot has roughly 47 seats
• Israeli election has fractured result, coalition-building comes nextwashingtontimes.com · cred 5/10

  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party won the highest share of votes in Tuesday's election, but neither Mr. Netanyahu nor his rival, former Israel Defense Forces chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot, has a clear path to forming a government.

  • · Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party won the highest share of votes in Tuesday's election
  • · Neither Netanyahu nor his rival, former Israel Defense Forces chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot, has a clear path to forming a government
• Netanyahu, Eisenkot not within reach of Israel's governing majoritywashingtontimes.com · cred 5/10

  With at least 80% of the vote tallied, neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor his main rival, former Israel Defense Forces chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot, is within reach of the 61 seats needed to form a majority in Israel's 120-seat Parliament, the Knesset.

  • · At least 80% of the vote has been tallied in Israel's election.
  • · Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not within reach of the 61 seats needed for a majority in the Knesset.