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Israelis turn out in highest numbers in decades as deadlocked election leaves neither bloc with a majority

By ChordNews · First written (new coverage )

Israel election: Netanyahu and Eisenkot battle to form government after deadlock
Image: france24.com
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Summary

Israelis voted on Tuesday, October 27, in their highest numbers in over two decades in a tense national election on whether to keep Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's far-right coalition in power. With votes still being counted, exit polls from three mainstream Israeli television networks gave the two blocs around 51 seats each in the 120-member Knesset, well short of the 61 needed to govern. Earlier exit polls had given an edge to the opposition led by former army chief Gadi Eisenkot. On Wednesday, Netanyahu and Eisenkot both pledged to form a government and staked rival claims to lead Israel. The campaign was dominated by the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, and Israeli Arab parties made significant gains, while Netanyahu and Smotrich railed against Arab voters as the rival camps face an uncertain path to power.

This continues an earlier story: Israelis vote Tuesday in first national election since Oct. 7 attack, seen as referendum on Netanyahu

Later: Israeli election ends in deadlock with neither bloc holding a majority as Herzog urges leaders to avoid a repeat vote

Timeline

  1. NPR

    Source ↗

    NPR reports that Israelis voted in their highest numbers in over two decades in a tense national election on whether to stick with Netanyahu's far-right coalition.

  2. France 24

    Source ↗

    France 24 reports that Netanyahu and rival Gadi Eisenkot both pledged to form a government after an election left neither bloc with a parliamentary majority, and that Arab Israeli parties made significant gains.

  3. Japan Times

    Source ↗

    The Japan Times reports that with votes trickling in, a pair of exit polls had the rival blocs tied 51 to 51, leaving neither with the 61 seats needed for a majority.

  4. South China Morning Post

    Source ↗

    The South China Morning Post reports that exit polls from three mainstream Israeli networks gave the two blocs around 51 seats each in the 120-member Knesset, and that Israeli Arab lists made strong gains.

  5. RTÉ

    Source ↗

    RTÉ reports that Israelis voted in their highest turnout in decades, with exit polls showing Netanyahu's camp and his rival's camp neck and neck.

  6. Al Jazeera

    Source ↗

    Al Jazeera reports that Netanyahu and Smotrich railed against Arab voters as rival political camps face an uncertain path to power.

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