Israel Exit Polls Leave Netanyahu Short

ISRAEL · ELECTION

Published Tuesday, 27 October, 7:13 p.m. ET · Source: Israel’s Central Elections Committee, the Knesset, the President of Israel

Exit Polls Show No Majority

Israel voted on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, and the first exit polls put the opposition bloc led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot narrowly ahead of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s alliance. Neither camp reached the 61 of 120 seats needed to govern, according to projections published when the polls closed.

Exit polls are surveys commissioned by broadcasters, not an official count, and they often move once real ballots are counted. They projected about 50 seats for Netanyahu’s bloc and 52 to 54 for Eisenkot’s.

Turnout and Reactions

Reports described record turnout, the highest in decades, in the first Israeli election since the Hamas attack of 7 October 2023. The Central Elections Committee has not yet published a final participation figure.

Eisenkot called the early picture “a vote of absolute no-confidence” in Netanyahu. Reports say Netanyahu spoke of attempts at fraud, and no evidence for that claim has been presented.

What Happens Next

Official results are expected within days. President Isaac Herzog then consults every party and gives one lawmaker the task of building a government, with 28 days and a possible 14-day extension, as we explain in our explainer.

If that candidate fails, the mandate can pass to another lawmaker, and repeated failure leads to a new election. Netanyahu’s government stays in office as a caretaker meanwhile, and his corruption trial, covered in our guide to the cases, continues.

Why It Matters

Washington is Israel’s main ally and arms supplier, so the next coalition will shape US policy on Gaza, Iran and regional security. A long deadlock would slow major decisions and could unsettle the shekel and the Tel Aviv stock market.

Follow every development in our Israel election dossier.

What It Means for You

US readers should expect days of uncertainty, not a quick answer, because Israeli governments are formed by bargaining after the vote. Official seat counts, not exit polls, decide who gets the first try.

Investors in Israeli assets should watch the final seat count and the first statements from smaller parties. Travellers should follow official guidance, which has not changed because of the vote.

What Is Not Known

The official seat distribution and the final turnout are not yet known, and exit polls can differ from the certified count. Who will form the next government is also unresolved.

It is not known which smaller parties will back either bloc, or whether Arab-led parties will take part in any coalition. Evidence for the fraud claim has not been shown.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the Israeli election?

No one has won a majority. Exit polls show Eisenkot’s bloc slightly ahead but short of 61 seats, with Netanyahu’s bloc close behind.

When will the official results be known?

The Central Elections Committee is expected to publish them within days. The president starts consultations after that.

What happens if no one can form a government?

The mandate can pass to another lawmaker, and if all attempts fail the country goes back to the polls. The current government stays in place as a caretaker.

Sources: Israel’s Central Elections Committee, the Knesset, the President of Israel.

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This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief