Israel’s Oct. 27 election had no clear winner, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and challenger Gadi Eisenkot each said they could lead, but neither appeared to have enough support to govern.
The vote was Israel’s first national election since the Hamas-led attacks on Oct. 7, 2023. Exit polls gave different forecasts. Some forecasts put Netanyahu’s bloc and Eisenkot’s opposition alliance tied at 51 seats each, while another gave Netanyahu’s side a small lead.
A majority in the 120-seat Knesset requires 61 seats. Early Wednesday, partial results covered about 42% of ballots. Those results put Netanyahu’s bloc ahead, with a projected 57 seats to Eisenkot’s 47.
Arab-led parties were projected to hold 16 seats. These numbers were not final. They were different from the exit polls.
Turnout was 77.7%, its highest level in nearly three decades, according to Israel’s Central Elections Committee. Netanyahu called for a right-wing government. Eisenkot said voters had chosen change and promised to work with partners.
Arab-led parties could have influence in talks to form a coalition. However, both camps had said they would not depend on them to govern. If no coalition is formed, Netanyahu can remain in a caretaker role while the parties negotiate.