Israel's election leaves no clear majority as Arab parties could become kingmakers

Summary

Israelis voted on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, and no bloc appears to have won a Knesset majority. France 24 reports that neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing, religious bloc nor the centrist bloc of his rival Gadi Eisenkot appeared headed for a majority, and that an unusually strong showing by Arab parties could make them unexpected kingmakers. Hindustan Times reports that Arab-led parties are projected to win a record 19 seats, while Netanyahu and Eisenkot face an uncertain path to a majority. Al Jazeera reports that exit poll projections show Eisenkot's bloc could potentially unseat Netanyahu if it teams up with Arab parties, and questions whether Arab parties will be the kingmakers. The New York Times reports that neither Netanyahu nor his rivals won a majority, leaving Arab lawmakers as potential kingmakers in the new Parliament.

Timeline

1. Al Jazeera

   28 Oct 2026, 14:30 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that exit poll projections show Eisenkot's bloc could potentially unseat Netanyahu if it teams up with Arab parties, and questions whether Arab parties will be the kingmakers in the vote.

2. France 24

   28 Oct 2026, 16:04 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that neither Netanyahu's right-wing, religious bloc nor Eisenkot's centrist bloc appeared headed for a Knesset majority, and that an unusually strong showing by Arab parties could make them unexpected kingmakers.

3. Hindustan Times

   28 Oct 2026, 17:07 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that Israel's Arab-led parties are projected to win a record 19 seats, while Netanyahu and opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot face an uncertain path to a majority, and that Arab parties may not be kingmakers.

4. The New York Times

   28 Oct 2026, 20:43 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that neither Netanyahu nor his rivals won a majority, leaving Arab lawmakers as potential kingmakers in the new Parliament.