Israel’s legislative election ended without a clear winner after exit polls projected a tight race between Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition and an opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot, CNBC Indonesia reported. The vote on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, marked a potential turning point for Netanyahu, who has dominated the nation's politics for nearly two decades.
While the opposition bloc secured a narrow advantage in early projections, neither side reached the threshold required to form a majority government. The Central Elections Committee reported a voter turnout of 77.7%, representing a seven-percentage-point increase compared to the previous election in 2022.
Exit Polls Show Opposition Ahead
Three major Israeli television networks updated their exit poll projections to show the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot ahead with 52 seats in the 120-member Knesset. Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud-led coalition trailed closely behind with 50 seats, according to the network broadcasts.
An additional 18 seats were projected to go to Arab parties that remain unaffiliated with either major political camp. Eisenkot, who leads the Yashar party, has largely ruled out forming a government with those Arab factions, complicating his path to a parliamentary majority. Meanwhile, Channel 14 and other media outlets aligned with Netanyahu projected a higher total of 60 seats for the incumbent prime minister and his allies.
Yohanan Plesner Evaluates the Ballot Results
Yohanan Plesner, director of the Israel Democracy Institute, characterized the exit poll projections as a major setback for Netanyahu’s coalition. Plesner noted that the bloc, which previously held 68 seats in the Knesset, saw its projected share drop to roughly 50 seats.
Despite the apparent shift, Plesner cautioned that Eisenkot cannot yet be declared the definitive winner of the election. He emphasized that final outcomes remain subject to change as the complete vote count continues across the country.
Voter Turnout Hits Two-Decade High
The election took place under the shadow of the October 7, 2023, attacks led by Hamas, which killed 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages, setting off a multi-front regional conflict. Kompas.com reported that differing local media projections highlight the ongoing uncertainty as officials process the final ballots.
Netanyahu defended his tenure by arguing that military actions, including the targeted killings of senior militant leaders in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran, have enhanced national security. However, critics continue to target his administration over the intelligence failures preceding the 2023 attacks, ongoing domestic divisions, and domestic economic pressures such as the cost of living.
Netanyahu and Eisenkot Face off in Legislative Election
Israel held its legislative election on Tuesday, October 28, 2026, with 7.3 million registered voters casting ballots. Netanyahu ran a campaign relying on the backing of United States Donald Trump, who served as his ally in the fight against Iran. Meanwhile, Gadi Eisenkot emerged as a primary challenger to Netanyahu. In Nazareth, Faten Gattas, a candidate from the Joint List, declared in a speech at the alliance’s headquarters: Kami menolak pendudukan dan rasisme, dan kami akan tetap berada di sini,
as reported in source coverage.
/data/photo/2015/03/18/07442773352052273780x390.jpg "Photo: kompas.com")
The election was shaped by several critical issues, including national security, social concerns, and economic pressures like the cost of living. Opposition leader Yair Lapid remarked on the outcome, stating: Jangan biarkan siapa pun membingungkan kalian: blok Netanyahu telah mengalami kekalahan telak. Ini merupakan keruntuhan total dan rakyat telah menyuruh mereka untuk pulang,
according to Reuters.
What Voters and Parties Need to Know About the 2026 Election
How many seats are required to form a majority government in Israel?
Parties must secure at least 61 seats in the 120-member Knesset to establish a governing majority.
What was the voter turnout for the 2026 election?
The Central Elections Committee recorded a turnout of 77.7%, which is approximately 7 percentage points higher than the 2022 election.
When will official election results be announced?
Official results require several days to process as the Central Elections Committee finalizes the complete count from polling stations nationwide.
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