Exit polls show Israeli blocs tied, opposition calls it defeat
Updated Israeli exit polls showed a 51-seat tie between Netanyahu's coalition and the opposition, sparking debate.
At a glance
- Updated Israeli exit polls showed Netanyahu's coalition and an opposition bloc tied at 51 seats each.
- Opposition leaders called the projected result a crushing defeat of Netanyahu's government.
- Neither bloc reached the 61 seats needed for an absolute majority, officials said.
Israeli leaders reacted sharply to exit poll projections issued after voting wrapped up, and the latest numbers pointed to no outright winner between the two main political alliances in the country.
According to updated broadcasts by Israel's Channel 13, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud-led coalition and an opposition bloc headed by Gadi Eisenkot were locked at 51 seats each in the Knesset's 120 seats.
The opposition maintained that the projected outcome amounted to a loss for Netanyahu's government. Yair Lapid, the main opposition figure, described the Netanyahu camp as suffering a very heavy loss and said voters had directed it to leave. Gadi Eisenkot, who leads the Yeshar party and previously served as military chief of staff, said early projections pointed to scant confidence in Netanyahu and the government formed after October 7, according to the AFP news agency.
Under the revised figures, parties not aligned with either bloc were expected to take 18 seats, leaving both main sides 10 seats short of the 61 needed for a majority.
Crowds at Eisenkot's watch event in Tel Aviv applauded the projections when turnout was reported at 77.7 percent, the Central Elections Committee said.
Still, officials close to Netanyahu's side disputed the opposition's claims and argued that final results might change the picture. Gideon Saar, the foreign minister and a Netanyahu ally, called the opposition remarks premature and said on social media that Likud was still the largest single party.
Arab political groups also pointed to their role in coming coalition talks. Mansour Abbas, leader of the United Arab List, said the mandate his faction received could become a new reality in the country. Faten Gattas, a candidate with the Joint List alliance in Nazareth, said strong participation among Palestinian citizens of Israel was meant to stop Netanyahu's nationalist coalition from returning. She said the group would not accept occupation or racism and would stay.
Since neither side reached a majority, analysts said smaller parties could become decisive as formal coalition talks are expected to start in the coming days.
Source: Al Jazeera.
Questions and answers
- What did the updated Israeli exit polls show?
- They showed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud-led coalition tied at 51 seats with the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot in the 120-seat Knesset.
- Why did Israeli opposition leaders call the result a defeat?
- They said the initial projections showed a lack of confidence in Netanyahu and the October 7 government, and called the Netanyahu bloc a crushing defeat.
- How could the election result affect coalition talks?
- With no bloc reaching an absolute majority, political analysts said smaller parties could be key deciders as formal coalition talks begin.
