51 seats each: Israeli election polls tie blocs

Revised exit polls from Israel's major television networks indicate that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's governing bloc and the opposition grouping led by Gadi Eisenkot are tied at 51 seats each. Neither side has reached the 61 seats required to form a majority coalition in the Knesset.

The projections changed during the evening of the vote. Initial polls released on Tuesday showed Eisenkot holding a slight lead in seat count. Israeli exit polls are frequently updated after their first release and are known for low precision. The final official count can vary by several seats from these preliminary estimates.

Palestinian political parties are projected to gain substantial ground in this election. Forecasts suggest they may secure up to 18 seats, an increase from 10 in the previous term. If Eisenkot fails to reach a majority, he would need to negotiate with the Joint List and Ra'am to assemble a government. This process could take several weeks. An alternative scenario involves a minority government sustained by informal vote-by-vote agreements.

Netanyahu addressed supporters at a post-election rally in Jerusalem shortly after 3am. He stated that official results would confirm Likud as the largest party in Israel. He argued that the country must establish a strong, right-wing national government and asserted that a government relying on the support of Palestinian parties must not be formed.

Eisenkot spoke to supporters in Tel Aviv, claiming the Israeli public voted against Netanyahu's tenure as prime minister. He said a worthy leader would have accepted the people's non-confidence and announced his retirement from politics that day. Eisenkot also warned Netanyahu not to use Israel's security for political ends, a remark referencing fears that the prime minister might launch a new attack on Iran during the period of uncertainty.

The Central Elections Committee rejected a final push by Netanyahu and other parties to extend polling station hours beyond the 10pm deadline. Netanyahu suggested publicly that the left and Arab voters were working to steal the election. The committee dismissed that claim, stating it found no evidence of systematic tampering. The final tally will determine which bloc holds the stronger negotiating position, but neither appears close to a standalone majority.