Israelis voted on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, to elect members of the 120-seat Knesset. Exit polls from major Israeli television networks indicate that neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc nor the opposition led by Gadi Eisenkot of the Yashar party secured a clear governing majority. While Netanyahu’s Likud party is projected to remain the largest single party, the exit polls suggest a majority of voters cast ballots for parties opposing his current coalition.
The election followed three years of conflict involving Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran, and is the first since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks. Issues including military service exemptions for ultra-Orthodox Jews, the cost of living, and the state’s failure to prevent the 2023 attacks featured in the campaign. Netanyahu, seeking another term after 19 total years in power, campaigned on finishing ongoing military operations. Former military chief Gadi Eisenkot led the "change bloc," positioning himself as a candidate who could reunite the country.
Early data suggests a high voter turnout, including what Arab voters described as a historic participation from Arab citizens, who make up approximately 20% of the population. Israel's two Arab parties reportedly won more seats than in any previous election. Both Netanyahu and his opponents previously vowed not to form a government reliant on these parties. Under Israel’s proportional representation system, a party must receive at least 3.25% of the national vote to enter the Knesset, and a coalition requires 61 seats to form a government.
For individual households, the immediate impact includes pressure from the cost of living, as the state’s defense budget has doubled since 2023. The outcome will determine future policy regarding military service requirements and potential concessions in Gaza and the West Bank. The election also carries implications for international relations, as Donald Trump indicated his administration's support for the conflict with Iran might depend on Netanyahu remaining in power.
Official full results are scheduled to be confirmed by Tuesday, November 4, 2026. Following the certification of results, the process of coalition negotiations will begin. Potential outcomes identified by analysts include a unity government between Netanyahu and liberal parties, an alternative coalition supported by Arab parties, or another general election. The Knesset must eventually convene a special session for the designated prime minister to present a new government for a formal vote.