Israel's Wartime Election Ends in Deadlock as Exit Polls Show Setback for Netanyahu
Israel's general election concluded on Tuesday, October 27, with exit polls indicating a deadlocked parliament and a significant political setback for veteran Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Marking the first national vote since the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks and subsequent conflicts, the election saw a near-record turnout of 77.7 per cent, according to the Central Elections Committee.
Major television network projections showed a tight race for the 120-seat Knesset, where a 61-seat majority is required to govern. Exit polls gave a slight two-seat edge to the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot—former military chief and head of the centrist Yashar party—projecting it to win 52 or 53 seats compared to 50 seats for Netanyahu's Likud-led camp. Unaligned Arab parties were projected to take the remaining 18 seats.
Because neither major side secured an outright majority, the political outcome remains uncertain, potentially leaving smaller parties and protracted coalition negotiations as deciding factors. Netanyahu could continue to hold power in a caretaker capacity while parties attempt to build a government. Official and final election results are expected to be published by November 4.
