Israeli Election 2026: Netanyahu's Likud Largest Party, Opposition Bloc Edges Ahead in Seats
In the 2026 Israeli parliamentary elections, Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party emerged as the largest single party, but the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot narrowly secured more seats, resulting in a deadlock with no clear majority for either side. The election was marked by record turnout, particularly among Israeli Arab voters, which significantly influenced the outcome.
Where Sources Diverge
Channel 14, a non-mainstream network, projected a majority for Netanyahu's bloc, while other polls suggested the opposition would win more seats.
Three exit polls by non-mainstream networks diverge wildly, with solidly pro-Netanyahu Channel 14 projecting majority for PM's bloc.
Exit polls show no clear victor, or path to government, as Arab parties get historic vote.
Some sources projected Netanyahu's bloc to secure 55 seats, while others projected 54 seats.
i24News Poll: Netanyahu Bloc Leads With 55 Seats, Winter and Hendel Fail to Cross Threshold.
70.7% of Votes Counted: Netanyahu Bloc at 54 Seats, Eisenkot at 47.
Some sources indicated that the opposition bloc would secure 52 or 53 seats, while others projected 47 or 49 seats.
The opposition bloc is projected to win 52 or 53 seats, while Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc is set to take 50, although his Likud would be the largest single party in parliament.
70.7% of Votes Counted: Netanyahu Bloc at 54 Seats, Eisenkot at 47.
Some sources indicated that the opposition bloc would secure 52 or 53 seats, while others projected 47 or 49 seats.
The opposition bloc is projected to win 52 or 53 seats, while Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc is set to take 50, although his Likud would be the largest single party in parliament.
70.7% of Votes Counted: Netanyahu Bloc at 54 Seats, Eisenkot at 47.
Sources
70.7% of Votes Counted: Netanyahu Bloc at 54 Seats, Eisenkot at 47 Ynetnews
66.2% of Votes Counted: Netanyahu Bloc at 54 Seats, Eisenkot at 48 Ynetnews
With 2,950,493 Votes Counted: Netanyahu Bloc at 55 Seats, Eisenkot at 49 Ynetnews
After counting over 85% of the votes cast in the Knesset elections, Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing party bloc may secure 53 mandates - report Israeli media.
Netanyahu, Eisenkot stake rival claims to lead Israel after deadlocked vote - Middle East and Africa The Jakarta Post
The bloc of the outgoing prime minister precedes that of Gadi Eisenkot, who is stuck at 48 seats. The 19 parliamentarians from the Arab parties are decisive for future political balances.
Three exit polls by non-mainstream networks diverge wildly, with solidly pro-Netanyahu Channel 14 projecting majority for PM's bloc The Times of Israel
In the Israeli parliamentary elections, marked by high voter turnout, there is no clear winner, according to reports from Israeli media, the results of the parallel elections are still unclear. The Likud party, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, received the most votes, the opposition bloc secured more seats, but not enough for a majority. The success of Arab parties is also notable.
The opposition bloc is projected to win 52 or 53 seats, while Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc is set to take 50, although his Likud would be the largest single party in parliament.
Netanyahu’s Likud outperformed many pre-election opinion surveys to emerge as Israel’s single biggest party. But his coalition is far short of a majority.
Polls conducted by the ballot box in the Israeli elections show that neither of the camps of Benjamin Netanyahu and Gadi Eisenkot has reached the necessary majority to form a government; at the same time, some Israeli media report the possibility of Eisenkot being appointed to form the cabinet.
Early indications suggest it will be some time before the shape of new government and who will lead it is clear Israel election – live updates Israel’s election was too close to call on Tuesday night after a historic turnout by voters for an election described by some as the most consequential in the country’s history, and marked by a record participation by Israeli Arab voters. Exit polls published on Tuesday evening, they suggested that the opposition bloc of parties led by the former chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces, Gadi Eisenkot, would win most seats in the Knesset by a slight margin, edging out Benjamin Netanyahu’s right and far-right coalition despite the prime minister’s Likud emerging as the largest party. Continue reading...
Exit polls show no clear victor, or path to government, as Arab parties get historic vote The Times of Israel
First Israeli election exit polls show narrow edge for opposition Arab News
In Israeli parliamentary elections, marked by exceptionally high voter turnout, there is no clear winner, according to reports from Israeli media, indicating that the results of the parallel elections are inconclusive. The Likud party, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, received the most votes, while the opposition bloc secured more seats but not enough for a majority. The success of Arab parties is also notable.
Israel election results: Netanyahu’s Likud party in deadlock with opposition The Times
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.
Uncertain battle for power
During the legislative elections on this Tuesday, October 27, the first national vote in Israel held since the deadly Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023. Early projections show the opposition slightly ahead of Benjamin Netanyahu. Final results are expected by October 30.
The opposition has defeated Benjamin Netanyahu's ruling coalition - preliminary exit poll results published by major Israeli television stations indicate. At the same time, the Likud party of the prime minister achieved the best result among the groups. Final results often differ from these preliminary ones.
Highest voter turnout since 1973, slight advantage indicates opposition coalition of four parties
The opposition has defeated Benjamin Netanyahu's ruling coalition - preliminary exit poll results published by the largest Israeli television stations indicate. At the same time, the Likud party of the prime minister achieved the best result among groups. The surprise is the strong result of the Arab parties.
Netanyahu has spent much of the day calling on supporters to get out and vote, painting the election as a "matter of life and death."
Channel 13 exit poll: Eisenkot-led bloc in lead, Likud largest party, but neither camp gets majority amid record Arab showing The Times of Israel
Netanyahu spent much of the day posting on social media that high Arab turnout is an 'emergency' and a 'matter of life or death' for the Israeli right
Israeli exit polls show huge Palestinian gains block Netanyahu and Eisenkot from forming majority Middle East Eye
i24News Poll: Netanyahu Bloc Leads With 55 Seats, Winter and Hendel Fail to Cross Threshold Ynetnews
Israel election exit polls: Opposition edges Netanyahu, Likud largest as Arab parties surge Ynetnews
First Israeli election exit polls show narrow edge for opposition Al Arabiya English
Israel election exit polls: Benjamin Netanyahu, Gadi Eisenkot both fail to win majority The Jerusalem Post
Israel Election 2026 • Exit polls: Majority of voters back opposition, Netanyahu's Likud largest party Haaretz
Israel election 2026: What happens after polls close and when will we know who won? Ynetnews