Broadcaster projections point to a deadlocked Knesset, with Arab parties holding the balance and weeks of coalition talks likely before a government emerges.
Tamrah News Desk | October 28, 2026
Israel election exit polls released on Tuesday night showed no clear winner, with neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor his main rival Gadi Eisenkot within reach of the 61 seats needed for a majority, CNN reported. It was the first national vote since the October 7 attack. The figures are projections, not official results. Neither the Likud leader nor the head of the Yashar party declared outright victory.
What the Israel Election Exit Polls Showed
Al Jazeera reported that projections from the major television networks gave Netanyahu’s Likud led coalition 51 seats in the 120 seat Knesset, with Eisenkot’s Yashar bloc also on 51. Arab parties outside both camps were projected to win 18. NBC News gave a different split. It reported that Channel 12 projected 50 seats for Netanyahu’s bloc and 52 for Eisenkot’s. NBC said Channel 14, described as strongly supportive of Netanyahu, gave the prime minister 60 seats and Eisenkot 43. Al Jazeera cautioned that exit polls can be wrong and preliminary results may vary.
How the Numbers Shifted Overnight
CNN reported that early projections had Netanyahu’s bloc slightly behind, but later updates put it level with or marginally ahead of Eisenkot’s. The revised figures gave Likud 27 seats and Yashar 21. Haaretz reported that Likud was projected at 29 seats with 28 percent of votes counted, and at 28 seats with 37 percent counted. NBC News, citing 15 polling stations, said Likud held 26.50 percent against 19.32 percent for Eisenkot’s bloc. The Times of Israel reported that polls had pointed to deadlock between the two camps for months.
Reactions From Netanyahu and Eisenkot
Eisenkot said the projections show a
“lack of confidence”
in the prime minister, according to Al Jazeera. Opposition leader Yair Lapid said the Netanyahu bloc had suffered a heavy defeat, while Foreign Minister Gideon Saar of Likud called the celebrations premature because Likud remains the largest party. Haaretz reported that Netanyahu said the right wing holds a
“great majority”
among Israel’s Zionist public and urged a strong right wing government. CNN reported that Eisenkot said Israelis
“voted for change”
but stopped short of declaring victory.
Arab Parties Could Hold the Balance
Al Jazeera reported that the Arab parties could become kingmakers if others agree to work with them, yet both Netanyahu and Eisenkot have ruled out a partnership, citing differences in values. CNN reported that Arab parties celebrated projections of record representation. It added that Eisenkot would need their cooperation to remove Netanyahu. CNN also reported that families of October 7 victims said the polls show a clear majority for a state commission of inquiry. Readers can follow more Middle East coverage on Tamrah News.
Will Netanyahu Remain Prime Minister?
It is too early to say. Analyst Ehab Jabareen told Al Jazeera the projections show a weakened Netanyahu bloc, but he warned against declaring either a Netanyahu victory or the end of his career. He said Netanyahu could stay on as caretaker while negotiations continue if neither side can form a government. Netanyahu has served as prime minister for nearly 19 of the past 30 years, Al Jazeera noted.
What Happens Next in Israel Coalition Talks
According to Al Jazeera, the final tally is due on November 4. President Isaac Herzog will then consult party leaders and choose the candidate he believes has the best chance of forming a government, who is not necessarily the head of the largest party. That candidate has 28 days, which Herzog can extend by 14. If the attempt fails, a second candidate receives 28 days, and a third gets a final 14 days. If deadlock remains, the Knesset is dissolved and a new election must be called within 90 days, with Netanyahu’s government staying on as a caretaker. Israel held three elections between April 2019 and March 2020 after earlier gridlock, Al Jazeera noted. See also our guide to the Knesset and how Israeli governments form.
Conclusion
The Israel election exit polls point to a tight contest between Netanyahu and Eisenkot, with neither side holding a majority of Knesset seats. The final Israel election results on November 4 will shape how Israel coalition talks begin, and whether Likud or Yashar gets the first chance to form a government. Readers searching for Israel election 2026 updates can follow Tamrah News, along with our related political coverage, for the latest on the Netanyahu vs Eisenkot race.
