Israeli turnout hits multi-decade high as Netanyahu accuses opponents of trying to steal the vote

Summary

Israelis voted on Tuesday in what outlets describe as one of the most consequential elections in the country's history, and turnout reached its highest level in decades while polling stations were still open. The Times of Israel reports that 74.3% of eligible voters had cast ballots by 8 p.m., the highest at that hour since 1988, and that the Central Elections Committee rejected multiple claims of foul play. Axios reports that more than three-quarters of voters had cast ballots, the highest level since 1999, and says higher turnout will likely push several parties in Netanyahu's bloc below the electoral threshold, making a 61-seat majority harder to reach. After reports of long lines, the Central Elections Commission ordered faster voting and said any voter arriving at a polling station by 10 p.m. local time would be allowed to vote. The Times of Israel reports that Netanyahu, pointing to Arabs and the left, said 'they're trying to steal election,' while Eisenkot accused him of trying to 'lay groundwork' to contest the results. Al Jazeera's live blog reports that exit polls show no outright winner and suggest Netanyahu's coalition is tied with the main Jewish-led opposition bloc.

Timeline

1. The Times of Israel

   27 Oct 2026, 14:27 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that 74.3% of eligible voters had cast ballots by 8 p.m., the highest at that hour since 1988, that the Central Elections Committee rejected multiple claims of foul play, and that Netanyahu, pointing to Arabs and the left, said 'they're trying to steal election' while Eisenkot accused him of trying to 'lay groundwork' to contest the results.

2. Axios

   27 Oct 2026, 19:13 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that more than three-quarters of Israeli voters cast ballots in the historic vote, the highest level since 1999, and that higher turnout will likely push several parties in Netanyahu's bloc below the electoral threshold, after long lines led the Central Elections Commission to expedite voting.

3. Al Jazeera

   27 Oct 2026, 19:28 UTCSource ↗

   Reports in its live blog that exit polls show no outright winner and suggest Netanyahu's coalition is tied with the main Jewish-led opposition bloc.