Israel Election 2026 Exit Polls Show No Clear Winn
Last updated 2026-10-27 23:00 UTC. Official count started 22:23 UTC. Sources: Al Jazeera, France24, Times of Israel, JFeed, The Jewish Chronicle, Haaretz, Newsquawk, Israel Hayom.
What the exit polls show
Voting closed at 22:00 local time (20:00 UTC) on 27 October 2026. Three major Israeli broadcasters then released exit polls showing a narrow edge for the opposition bloc led by former army chief Gadi Eisenkot, but neither bloc reaching the 61 seats needed to form a government. Channels 11, 12 and 13 all put Eisenkot's bloc at 52 seats and Netanyahu's bloc at 50 seats. The pro-government Channel 14 was an outlier, putting the right-wing camp at 60 seats. Arab parties are projected to hold 18 seats, a record, with Joint List winning 11 and Ra'am 7. The official vote count began at 22:23 UTC on October 27. Channel 12 projected that President Isaac Herzog will task Eisenkot with forming the next government if the exit poll results hold.
120Total seats in the Knesset (61 needed for a majority)
4Israeli broadcasters released exit polls on election night
Eisenkot bloc projected seats (Channels 11-13, aligned)
52
Netanyahu bloc projected seats (Channels 11-13)
50
Arab parties projected seats (record; Joint List 11, Ra'am 7)
18
Likud projected seats (largest single party)
24-25
Yashar (Eisenkot's party) projected seats
21-23
Seats needed for governing majority
61
Voter turnout final (highest since 1999)
77.7%
Polling stations closed
22:00 local (20:00 UTC)
Official results deadline
4 November 2026
Channel-by-channel breakdown
Channel 11 (Kan public broadcaster): Eisenkot bloc 52, Netanyahu bloc 50, Arab parties 18. Channel 12: Eisenkot bloc 52, Netanyahu bloc 50, Arab parties 18. Channel 13 (Reshet) updated poll: Eisenkot bloc 52 (-1), Netanyahu bloc 50, Arab parties 18 (+1). Channel 14 (pro-government private): Netanyahu bloc 60, Eisenkot bloc 43, Arab parties 17 (outlier). The three main public and commercial channels now align on the same figures. Exit polls have historically been close to final results in Israeli elections but are not definitive. More than 650,000 double-envelope ballots (soldiers and diplomats) require separate verification; counting could continue until Friday. Official results must be certified by 4 November.
"The initial exit poll results indicate a complete lack of confidence in Netanyahu and the October 7 government. If these results hold, it will be a victory for Israel's Zionist, pro-state majority.
"Gadi Eisenkot opposition leader
Why no majority is the key finding
The exit polls show Eisenkot's bloc ahead but short of 61 seats. Channel 12 projected that President Isaac Herzog will task Eisenkot with forming the next government if the exit poll results hold. Eisenkot would have 28 days (extendable by 14) to negotiate a coalition. For a majority he would need support from Arab parties; several senior figures in his bloc have ruled that out. Netanyahu's Likud remains the largest single party with 24-25 seats and can try to stay in power as caretaker while talks proceed. The stalemate leaves open the possibility of a unity or minority government, a prolonged negotiation, or another election if no coalition can be formed.
Who is Gadi Eisenkot
Eisenkot, 66, is a former chief of staff of the Israel Defence Forces who lost a son and two nephews in combat during the Gaza war. He leads the Yashar party and ran on a platform of security credibility combined with judicial independence and a push for a hostage deal. He is regarded as a centrist on domestic issues and a hawk on security. He served as IDF chief from 2015 to 2019.
"All polling stations in the elections to the 26th Knesset have closed. Results will be published progressively. Figures published during the count are partial and subject to change.
"Central Elections Committee statement
What to watch next
- Now: Official ballot count underway; first real results expected overnight.
- 2026-10-28: Preliminary vote counts from the Central Elections Committee.
- 2026-10-31: Double-envelope ballots verified and counted, refining party seat totals.
- 2026-11-04: Official certified results published.
- After results: President Isaac Herzog consults all Knesset parties; expected to task Eisenkot first with forming a government (28-day deadline, extendable by 14 days).
- Ongoing: Whether Eisenkot can assemble a 61-seat majority without Arab party support.
- Ongoing: Whether Netanyahu pursues a unity government to avoid opposition.
How we know this. Exit poll projections: Channels 11, 12 and 13 as reported by Al Jazeera (20:18 UTC), France24 (20:16 UTC), Times of Israel, Newsquawk, Israel Hayom. Channel 13 updated exit poll (Arab parties to 18, opposition to 52): Times of Israel live blog. Official count start time (22:23 UTC): The Jewish Chronicle live results. Final turnout 77.7%: France24 (22:58 UTC) and Israel Hayom. Herzog expected to task Eisenkot: Channel 12, reported by Times of Israel and Haaretz. Arab Bloc celebr