Israeli exit polls show deadlock, point to setback for Netanyahu
Summary
Israel’s wartime election appeared deadlocked, with exit polls showing Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc and Gadi Eisenkot’s opposition running neck and neck and neither side close to a Knesset majority. The result points to weeks of coalition wrangling and a possible setback for Netanyahu’s bid to remain in power.
Key Points
- Exit polls showed Israel’s election deadlocked, with Netanyahu’s camp and Gadi Eisenkot’s opposition bloc nearly tied and short of a majority.
- The outcome could trigger weeks of coalition negotiations, with Netanyahu potentially staying on as caretaker prime minister.
- Far-right allies Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich were projected to strengthen Netanyahu’s bloc, while Arab parties could hold the balance of power.
- The vote came after the October 7 Hamas attack and amid ongoing wars in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran, making security the dominant issue.
