Israel election results point to a political deadlock after a preliminary exit poll showed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party finishing first but neither major camp securing a clear path to power.
The projection gave Likud 24 seats in the 120-member Knesset, compared with 22 seats for Yashar, the centrist opposition party led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot.
The figures are not official results and may change as ballots are counted and verified.
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Israel election results leave both blocs short of a majority
The preliminary projection put Jewish-led parties opposed to Netanyahu at 52 seats and parties supporting the prime minister at 50.
Arab-led parties were projected to win 18 seats, a record total for that sector, although their role in any future coalition remains uncertain.
A governing coalition needs the support of at least 61 members of the Knesset.
That means neither Netanyahu’s bloc nor the opposition bloc can form a government without negotiating with smaller parties or seeking outside support.
| Group or party | Projected seats |
|---|---|
| Likud, led by Benjamin Netanyahu | 24 |
| Yashar, led by Gadi Eisenkot | 22 |
| Jewish-led parties opposing Netanyahu | 52 |
| Parties supporting Netanyahu | 50 |
| Arab-led parties | 18 |
Why the exit poll does not decide the election
Israeli voters elect party lists rather than choosing the prime minister directly.
The party distribution determines which political leaders can attempt to assemble a governing coalition.
The Central Elections Committee has begun counting ballots, but the early figures remain subject to change.
Small parties must also clear the electoral threshold to enter the Knesset, meaning final seat allocations can differ from exit-poll projections.
The preliminary figures showed Naftali Bennett’s B’Yachad party in third place with 12 seats and the Arab-led Joint List with 11.
Two smaller parties were projected to fall below the 3.25 per cent threshold required for representation.
Netanyahu and Eisenkot face competing claims to lead
The projection gives Netanyahu the advantage of leading the largest individual party.
Eisenkot’s opposition camp, however, was projected to hold more seats collectively than the parties supporting the prime minister.
Both men could therefore argue that they should receive the first opportunity to form a government.
That decision will ultimately rest with President Isaac Herzog after consultations with representatives of the parties elected to the Knesset.
The president is expected to designate the member of parliament judged most likely to assemble a governing majority.
Coalition talks could take weeks
The next government will depend on negotiations involving centrist, right-wing, religious and Arab-led parties.
Those talks could focus on cabinet positions, budget commitments, military-service policy, security issues and the direction of Israel’s war and foreign policy.
Arab-led parties have generally not joined Israeli governing coalitions, but their seats could become decisive if the opposition seeks support from outside a formal coalition.
If the first candidate cannot form a government within the allotted period, another candidate may be given the opportunity.
A prolonged failure to reach a deal could eventually trigger another election, while Netanyahu’s administration remains in a caretaker role.
Official count still to come
Israel’s polling stations closed at 10 p.m. local time on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
Turnout was unusually high, with more than 74 per cent of eligible voters reported to have cast ballots by 8 p.m.
The final official results are scheduled to be published in Israel’s official gazette by Wednesday, November 4, 2026.
Until the count is completed, the exit poll should be treated as an early indication rather than a declaration of victory.
The immediate focus will be on the official seat count and on which parties cross the electoral threshold.
After that, the central question will be whether Netanyahu or Eisenkot can build a coalition capable of winning the required confidence vote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Israel election results official yet?
No. The reported figures are preliminary exit-poll projections, while the Central Elections Committee is still counting and verifying ballots.
Who led the preliminary Israel election results?
Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party was projected to be the largest individual party with 24 seats, ahead of Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar with 22.
How many seats are needed to form an Israeli government?
A governing coalition needs the support of at least 61 members in the 120-seat Knesset.
When will Israel’s official election results be published?
The final official results are scheduled for publication in Israel’s official gazette by November 4, 2026.
Could Israel hold another election?
Yes. If no political leader can assemble a governing majority after coalition negotiations, another election could eventually be required.
Fact-Checked: Key seat projections, voting deadlines, coalition rules and the official-results timetable were checked against Israel’s election authorities and current primary election information.
Disclaimer: Exit-poll projections and early counts can change before Israel’s official election results are finalized.