77.7% turnout records highest in 20 years as Netanyahu bloc leads by 5 seats

Israelis voted in record numbers Tuesday, with 77.7% participation, the highest turnout in the country in more than two decades. President Isaac Herzog called the result a badge of honor for Israeli society, noting the deep desire for democracy evident in the polls. The high engagement reflects a population engaged in a vote that determines both leadership and the nation's political direction.

Partial results from 85% of counted ballots show Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party and its allies are on track for 53 seats in the 120-seat Knesset. Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party and three other opposition parties are projected to secure 48 seats. This five-seat gap puts Netanyahu's bloc in the lead, though it remains short of the 61 seats required for a majority.

Arab-led parties, including the United Arab List and the Joint List, are on course to win 19 seats, a record representation driven by strong turnout among Arab Israelis. Although all but one Jewish party has pledged not to govern with them, the Arab parties could become decisive kingmakers. Yousef Jabareen of the Joint List stated the party is ready to pave the way to replace the Netanyahu government, emphasizing the need for a genuine Jewish-Arab partnership.

Between 430,000 and 480,000 absentee ballots from soldiers and diplomats remain uncounted. Final results may take one or two days to emerge. President Herzog expects to receive official results next week, after which he will begin consultations with all factions to invite the leader with the best chance of forming a government.

The election marks the first vote since the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks and subsequent wars in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran. Key campaign issues included accountability for security failures, military conscription of ultra-Orthodox men, judicial reforms, and the conduct of regional wars. The outcome will determine whether Israel continues on its current religious-nationalist trajectory or shifts toward a change government.

Netanyahu declared his right-wing bloc had won a great majority at Likud headquarters in Jerusalem. He stated it was forbidden to endanger Israel by forming a government that relies on anti-Zionist Arab parties. Eisenkot, at Yashar's headquarters in Tel Aviv, argued the public had spoken in favor of change and that the coalition of failure had lost the people's trust.

If coalition talks fail, another election will be necessary. Herzog said he expected everyone to come to discussions with an open mind to avoid a repeat vote. The process of forming a government could take weeks once official results are confirmed.