Netanyahu bloc leads in early count but lacks majority
Early vote tallies show Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition ahead, but it falls short of the 61 seats needed for a majority in Israel’s 120‑member Knesset.
Key points
- Netanyahu’s bloc leads in partial count but is short of 61 seats for a majority.
- Exit polls initially suggested a deadlock, but later polls show the two blocs level at 51 seats each.
- Channel 12’s poll places Netanyahu’s bloc at 52 seats and the opposition at 49 seats.
- Strong Arab‑led party performance adds complexity to coalition negotiations.
Israel election results pending as Netanyahu bloc leads without majority
Israel’s general election was held on October 27, 2026.
By the morning of October 28, partial vote counting indicated that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc was leading but remained short of the 61 seats required for a majority in the 120‑member Knesset, according to Reuters.
Early television exit polls had suggested a deadlock between Netanyahu’s coalition and the opposition bloc led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot.
Revised exit polls from Kan 11 and Channel 13 later showed the two main blocs level at 51 seats each.
Channel 12’s poll placed Netanyahu’s bloc at 52 seats and the opposition at 49 seats.
The stronger performance of Arab‑led parties has added complexity to coalition calculations.
Your questions, answered
How many seats does Netanyahu need for a majority in the Knesset?
He needs 61 seats out of 120 to secure a majority.
What did exit polls show about the election outcome?
Early polls suggested a deadlock, but later polls indicated the two main blocs were level at 51 seats each.
How does this story make you feel?
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