By Sohaib Shams
Israelis voted in a national election on Tuesday, and exit polls indicated no clear winner, dealing a rebuke to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's religious-nationalist bloc while leaving the path to a governing majority uncertain.
Exit polls point to deadlock
Exit polls by major Israeli TV stations showed Netanyahu's Likud party winning the most votes, but his bloc secured only 50-51 seats in the 120-seat parliament. The bloc led by former military chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot captured 51-52 seats. Both sides fall well short of the 61 seats needed for a majority, while Arab-led parties took the remaining 18 seats.
Arab parties could be kingmakers
If the exit polls hold, Arab parties would hold the balance of power. However, Netanyahu and several of Eisenkot's potential partners have ruled out joining a government with Arab parties. Eisenkot has signaled willingness to cooperate under certain conditions, though that risks alienating some allies.
Campaign focused on security after Oct. 7 attacks
The election unfolded against the backdrop of the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7, 2023, which killed 1,200 people and abducted 251. Netanyahu has rejected an official investigation into the security failures, while his opponents demand a commission of inquiry. The exit polls reflect a deep and lingering divide among Jewish Israelis over accountability.
Ultra-Orthodox military exemptions fuel division
Exemptions from military service for ultra-Orthodox males have become especially contentious after three years of war. Netanyahu's coalitions have long relied on ultra-Orthodox parties that insist on maintaining the exemptions. Eisenkot, who lost his son and two nephews in Gaza combat, has vowed to end them. Exit polls indicated a drop in support for ultra-Orthodox parties, signaling voter dissatisfaction.
Record voter turnout
Israel's Central Elections Committee reported turnout at 77.7% of eligible voters by the time polls closed, the highest at that hour since 1999 and over seven percentage points higher than the 2022 election. The high participation reflected the perceived stakes of the vote.
