Israel Election 2026 Deadlock: Netanyahu and Eisenkot Both Claim a Mandate as Exit Polls Tie at 51-51

Israel’s general election on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, ended without a clear winner, as rival leaders Benjamin Netanyahu and Gadi Eisenkot both claimed a mandate on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, after exit polls left their blocs deadlocked. Neither bloc reached the 61 seats needed for a majority in the 120-seat Knesset, setting up prolonged coalition talks or possibly another election. The vote was Israel’s first general election since the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack.

Exit polls from Israel’s three main television channels told a strikingly similar story. Kan 11 and Channel 13 put the two blocs tied at 51 seats each, while Channel 12 gave Netanyahu’s Likud-led bloc a narrow 52-49 edge over Eisenkot’s opposition. In every projection, the Arab parties outside the two main blocs held the balance of power, with a projected 17 to 19 seats.

Israel Election 2026: Exit Poll Projections at a Glance

Note: exit polls are preliminary and may differ from the final count; seat figures vary between channels and updates.

Netanyahu Calls for a Strong Right-Wing Government

Netanyahu, 77, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, addressed supporters in Jerusalem after 3am and called for a “strong, right-wing national government”. He said the “Jewish and Zionist majority must unite” and pointed to a renewed opportunity, with US President Donald Trump, to remove what he called the existential threat from Iran. He did not directly claim victory, and he remains in office as caretaker prime minister while coalition negotiations continue.

Eisenkot Says Voters Delivered a Vote of No Confidence

Eisenkot, 66, a former military chief leading the Yashar party, told supporters in Tel Aviv that the public had voted against Netanyahu remaining prime minister and called on him to retire from politics. He said “the public has voted for change” and warned Netanyahu: “don’t you dare use Israel’s security for your political needs.” His warning reflected concern, reported by observers, that security issues could be used to push for a unity government or to shape the coalition talks.

Why the Arab Parties Now Hold the Balance of Power

The strongest gains in the election came from Arab Israeli parties, whose voters turned out in sharply higher numbers. Their projected 17 to 19 seats make them potential kingmakers, because neither main bloc can reach 61 without support beyond its own camp. Eisenkot has, however, largely ruled out forming a government with Arab parties, a position that complicates his path to power. That tension is now the central puzzle of the coalition arithmetic.

Far-Right Partners and the Road to a Coalition

Within Netanyahu’s bloc, far-right religious parties led by Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich were projected to take a combined 13 seats, with no major gains for either. Their seats keep Netanyahu’s bloc competitive, but they do not by themselves deliver a majority. Final results were expected on Thursday or Friday, with official results due in the following days, leaving weeks of negotiation as a real possibility.

What Happens Next in Jerusalem

If neither bloc can assemble 61 seats, Israel faces either a minority government arrangement, a broader unity deal, or another election. The deadlock also leaves Netanyahu in a caretaker role during the talks, which analysts say could work in his favour. For voters who turned out in the highest numbers in decades, the next step is not a new government yet, but a negotiation over who can credibly claim one. For another major political announcement unfolding this week, see The Today News’s coverage of the UK Budget 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won Israel’s 2026 election? Neither side, on exit polls — both blocs were tied or near-tied, well short of 61 seats.

How many seats are needed for a majority? 61 of 120 in the Knesset.

Which party won the most seats? Likud, projected at 24-27 seats, making it the largest single party.

Why are Arab parties so important this time? Their projected 17-19 seats mean neither bloc reaches a majority without them or another partner.

When will final results be known? Preliminary results were expected within hours/days, with final results expected Thursday or Friday and official results in the coming days — exit polls remain preliminary.