Israel’s recent general election ended without a clear majority for either of the main political blocs, according to exit polls released on election day. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party emerged as the single largest party, projected to win 24 seats in the 120-member Knesset. His main challenger, the new party Yashar, led by former general Gadi Eisenkot, was forecasted to secure 22 seats. However, neither Netanyahu’s governing coalition nor Eisenkot’s “change” bloc appeared to have enough seats to form a majority government, which requires at least 61 seats.

Exit polls indicated that Eisenkot’s bloc would gather around 52 seats, slightly ahead of Netanyahu’s coalition, which was expected to secure approximately 50 seats. This deadlock suggests a continuation of political uncertainty and raises the possibility of new elections in the near future. Under these circumstances, Netanyahu is likely to remain as caretaker prime minister, retaining authority over key national security issues, including potential actions related to Iran.

Eisenkot’s bloc would need the support of Arab-Israeli parties, notably the Raam party, which won an estimated 18 seats according to exit polls, to form a government. Raam has played a pivotal role in recent coalitions and could again emerge as a kingmaker. However, some factions within Eisenkot’s coalition expressed reluctance to cooperate directly with Arab parties, complicating prospects for coalition-building.

The election was held against the backdrop of heightened tensions following the October 7, 2023, attacks, which sharply influenced campaign narratives focused on security and governance. Eisenkot campaigned on a platform emphasizing both security credentials and a critique of Netanyahu’s handling of recent crises, while Netanyahu’s campaign focused on warning voters about perceived threats from Arab parties and the political Left, urging supporters to turn out in large numbers.

The campaign was marked by controversy and accusations of electoral misconduct. Netanyahu alleged attempts by Arab parties to influence the vote through bribery, specifically naming the Raam party. Israeli police arrested three individuals suspected of distributing cash envelopes linked to this claim but clarified that they found no evidence implicating Raam’s leadership. Raam dismissed the allegations as isolated and unrelated to the party's central organization.

Reports of voter intimidation and irregularities also surfaced. Nearly 2,000 right-wing activists were deployed to polling stations in Arab communities, officially to prevent fraud, though critics argued this tactic was meant to intimidate voters. Delays and low turnout were reported in some Arab areas, prompting complaints from Arab legal groups about possible intentional barriers to voting.

Polling stations across Israel saw high participation, with turnout exceeding 74 percent by 8 p.m., the highest at that time since records began in 1973. Despite the absence of a clear majority, the election was widely viewed as a referendum on Netanyahu’s leadership and his response to ongoing security challenges.

With no bloc able to form a government outright, coalition negotiations are expected to be complex and protracted. Netanyahu, as leader of the party with the most seats, may seek to attract members from smaller factions or opposition parties, while Eisenkot faces the task of uniting a diverse group of opposition parties under a single government platform.