Exit polls show Netanyahu rebuked and no clear winner in Israel election
Exit polls released by Israeli TV stations indicate Netanyahu's bloc and rival Gadi Eisenkot each won about 51 seats, leaving coalition talks uncertain.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Israeli exit polls released early on Wednesday after the Oct. 27 election show Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc and rival Gadi Eisenkot’s each securing roughly 51 seats, while Arab‑led parties obtained about 18 seats, according to major Israeli television networks.
What happened
Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. local time on Tuesday and closed at 10 p.m., as reported by the Independent. Exit polls were compiled shortly after polls closed and released early Wednesday. The figures suggest neither Netanyahu’s Likud‑aligned bloc nor Eisenkot’s Yashar‑led alliance reached the 61 seats needed for a governing majority.
What the reports add
- Deccan Chronicle described the exit polls as a “sharp rebuke” of Netanyahu and noted that the simplest coalition route would require Eisenkot to partner with Arab‑led parties, a move it said could be politically difficult.
- The Independent highlighted a significant drop in support for Netanyahu’s religious‑national coalition and reported that prediction‑market data from Polymarket showed 60 % backing for Eisenkot versus 27 % for Netanyahu.
- The Independent’s live‑updates piece added that the exit‑poll numbers left each bloc well below the 61‑seat threshold, with Arab parties projected to hold the remaining 18 seats.
What was said
"lack of confidence"
Gadi Eisenkot told Deccan Chronicle that the exit polls demonstrate a “lack of confidence” in Netanyahu and pledged to form a new government.
"they’re trying to steal the election"
The Independent’s live‑updates article quotes Netanyahu claiming that “they’re trying to steal the election.”
"Unless they change their ways, rapidly, we will soon finish the job."
U.S. President Donald Trump, in a statement before polls opened, reiterated his “complete and total” support for Netanyahu and warned Iran, saying, “Unless they change their ways, rapidly, we will soon finish the job.”
How it came about
Felo News previously reported on the election outlook, noting an Agam Labs poll that projected Netanyahu’s bloc would fall short of a majority (netanyahu-coalition-poll-2026) and that both leaders were invoking the Oct 7 attacks in campaign rhetoric (netanyahu-eisenkot-election). The same coverage warned that coalition talks could take weeks and that President Isaac Herzog would consult party leaders (israel-election-result-delay). Additionally, Netanyahu warned Iran against election interference, pledging “disproportionate blows” if Tehran attempted to disrupt the vote (see context pack). The exit‑poll results now confirm the uncertainty highlighted in those earlier analyses.
Key facts
- Exit polls show Netanyahu's bloc and Eisenkot each won about 51 Knesset seats. (deccanchronicle.com)
- Arab‑led parties are projected to hold about 18 seats. (deccanchronicle.com)
- No party reached the 61‑seat majority needed to govern alone. (independent.co.uk)
- Polymarket prediction market gave Eisenkot a 60% chance of becoming premier. (independent.co.uk)
Timeline
- 2026-10-25 — Agam Labs poll projected Netanyahu's bloc would lose its majority.
- 2026-10-27 — Polling stations closed at 10 p.m.; exit polls released early next day.
- 2026-10-28 — Exit polls published by Israeli TV stations.
