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Israel election ends in apparent deadlock as exit polls show no clear winner

By ChordNews · First written (new coverage , updated )

Israeli election results in deadlock, exit polls predict
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Summary

Israelis voted in record numbers on Tuesday in the first national election since the Oct. 7 Hamas massacre, and exit polls pointed to an apparent deadlock with no clear winner. Neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor his main rival, Gadi Eisenkot, is on track for a majority in the 120-seat Knesset, and neither bloc reached 61 seats in the exit polls. Netanyahu's Likud was projected to be the largest single party, while Eisenkot's opposition bloc was given a narrow edge in seats. Arab parties, which saw record participation by Israeli Arab voters, could win up to 17 seats according to one report. Both leaders addressed supporters after midnight and expressed confidence they will lead the next government, and vote counting could take days. One analysis piece argues that dramatic changes are unlikely in Israel even if Netanyahu is ousted.

This continues an earlier story: Former Israeli General Gadi Eisenkot Is Main Challenger to Netanyahu Ahead of October 27 Election

Later: Israeli election leaves neither Netanyahu's bloc nor Eisenkot's opposition with a majority · Israel's election ends in apparent deadlock, with neither Netanyahu nor Eisenkot on track for a majority · Israel's election count continues with no clear winner as Netanyahu and Eisenkot blocs compete to form a government · Netanyahu and Eisenkot blocs both fall short of 61-seat majority as Israeli election count continues · Israelis await final election results as no clear winner emerges and Netanyahu's future remains uncertain · Israel's election leaves Netanyahu's bloc in contention and the country in political gridlock · Exit polls show neither Netanyahu nor the opposition with a majority in Israeli election · Israel's exit polls show Netanyahu's coalition short of a majority · Israel's political deadlock looks set to continue, with new elections possibly the likeliest outcome · Netanyahu and Eisenkot both claim victory in Israel's election · Israel's election yields no clear winner, and Balad's leader calls the opposition's exclusion of Arab parties 'racist' · Israel's election race deadlocks with neither major party able to govern alone · Israel's election leaves no clear majority, with Likud the largest party and the president urging an open mind · Netanyahu's bloc falls short of a majority as ultra-Orthodox allies reportedly weigh backing Eisenkot's opposition · Opposition bloc said weighing direct PM elections to break political deadlock

Timeline

  1. RTÉ

    Source ↗

    RTÉ reports that exit polls show Israel's election ended in an apparent deadlock, with neither Netanyahu nor Gadi Eisenkot on track for a majority in the 120-seat Knesset.

  2. Fox News

    Source ↗

    Fox News reports that Israelis voted in record numbers in the first national election since the Oct. 7 Hamas massacre, and that exit polls show Likud and Yashar locked in a fight with neither bloc reaching 61 seats.

  3. Foreign Policy

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    Foreign Policy reports that early results indicate a deadlock in the parliamentary election, and argues that dramatic changes are unlikely in Israel even if Netanyahu is ousted.

  4. The Guardian

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    The Guardian reports that the election appeared to have no clear winner after a historic turnout, including record participation by Israeli Arab voters, with exit polls giving the Netanyahu bloc slightly fewer seats even though Likud emerged as the largest party.

  5. Hindustan Times

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    Hindustan Times reports that exit polls give Eisenkot's bloc more seats than Netanyahu's with no clear winner, while Likud remains the largest party but falls short of a majority, and Arab parties could get up to 17 seats.

  6. France 24

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    France 24 reports that first exit polls showed no clear winner, with the opposition bloc led by Eisenkot gaining a narrow edge over Netanyahu's Likud bloc, Likud projected as the largest single party, and Arab parties making gains.

  7. Euronews

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    Euronews reports that Eisenkot's supporters celebrated in Tel Aviv as exit polls gave the opposition bloc a narrow lead over Netanyahu's camp, but no outright parliamentary majority.

  8. The New York Times

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    The New York Times reports that Netanyahu and Eisenkot both expressed confidence after midnight that they will lead Israel's next government, and that vote counting could take days.

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