Netanyahu and Eisenkot Both Claim Mandate as Exit Polls Show Deadlock in Israel Election

Jerusalem, Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his challenger Gadi Eisenkot each put forward a claim to lead the country after Tuesday’s election, while exit polls showed their blocs locked in a stalemate. Netanyahu urged the creation of a right-wing government, and Eisenkot said voters had turned away from the long-serving leader.

Exit polls show a split

Exit polls from Kan 11 and Channel 13 put the two blocs level at 51 seats each. Channel 12 gave the bloc led by Netanyahu’s Likud a narrow 52-49 lead. Under every projection, neither side reached the 61 seats needed for a majority in the 120-seat Knesset, and neither leader announced a win while counts continued to come in.

Related: Israel Election Exit Polls Show Deadlock Between Netanyahu and Eisenkot Blocs

RelatedIsrael Election Exit Polls Show Deadlock Between Netanyahu and Eisenkot Blocs

The vote was the first since the attack led by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and the wars that followed in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran.

What the deadlock could mean

The projections would be a setback for Netanyahu and his nationalist-religious coalition. The stalemate could still benefit the 77-year-old, since he would stay on as caretaker prime minister through coalition talks that may drag on, or until a new election can be held.

Far-right religious parties led by Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich were projected to win 13 seats between them within Netanyahu’s bloc, with neither making significant gains. Arab parties that sit outside both main blocs could hold the balance of power. However, Eisenkot, a former military chief who leads the Yashar party, has almost entirely excluded a government with them, which makes his route to power harder.

Netanyahu’s address

Speaking to supporters at Likud election headquarters in Jerusalem after 3 a.m. (0100 GMT), Netanyahu called for “a strong, right-wing national government.” He pointed to Israel’s military achievements and raised the possibility of fresh joint action with US President Donald Trump against Iran.

He said: “Israel faces a singular historical opportunity, together with our partner President Trump, to remove the existential threat of Iran once and for all. But ulterior motives must not divert us from this sacred mission.”

Eisenkot’s response

Eisenkot said the public had voted against Netanyahu staying on as prime minister and urged him to leave politics. He also cautioned Netanyahu against using Israel’s security for political ends.