Partial results from Israel's general election indicate that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is leading his rival, former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, but his bloc remains short of a parliamentary majority. With 85% of ballots counted, Netanyahu's Likud party and its far-right and ultra-Orthodox allies are projected to win 53 seats in the 120-seat Knesset. Eisenkot's Yashar party and three other opposition parties in his bloc are set for 48 seats.
Both leaders have stated their intention to form a governing coalition. The emergence of Arab-led parties, who are on track to win an unprecedented 19 seats, could make them kingmakers, although most Jewish parties have pledged not to work with them.
Final results may take a day or two to emerge, pending the count of absentee ballots from soldiers and diplomats. Following the confirmation of results, President Isaac Herzog will consult with all political factions and invite the leader he believes has the best chance of forming a government. This process could take weeks, and failure to form a coalition could lead to another election.
President Herzog praised the 77.7% voter turnout, the highest in over two decades, calling it a "badge of honour for Israeli society" and a sign of the "deep desire for democracy in Israel." He expects to begin discussions with factions next week and urged an open-minded approach to avoid further elections.
Early exit polls projected Eisenkot's "Change Bloc" with a slight lead, but later updates showed a near tie or a narrow lead for Netanyahu's bloc. Netanyahu declared a "great majority" for his right-wing bloc and emphasized the need for a "strong right-wing national government," cautioning against forming a government that relies on "anti-Zionist Arab parties."
Conversely, Yair Golan, leader of the left-wing Democrats party, suggested an opportunity to form a "change government in partnership" with Arab parties to replace Netanyahu's coalition. The United Arab List and the Joint List are expected to achieve record representation due to a strong turnout among Arab Israelis.
The chairman of the Joint List, Yousef Jabareen, stated readiness to "pave the way to oust the Netanyahu government" through a "genuine and equal" Jewish-Arab partnership. Mansour Abbas, leader of the United Arab List, expressed hope for a coalition of 61 seats involving his party and the "Change Bloc."
This election was significant as it occurred in the wake of the deadly Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, and subsequent regional conflicts. Key campaign issues included accountability for the security failures, the conduct of wars, military conscription for ultra-Orthodox men, judicial reforms, and Israel's international standing. The election's outcome is seen as potentially determining the country's future hardline, religious-nationalist trajectory.