Revised Exit Polls Show Netanyahu and Eisenkot Blocs Deadlocked, Neither Near a Majority

Polls show a close contest

Major Israeli television networks revised their exit-poll projections on Tuesday evening, showing Netanyahu’s bloc tied with the grouping led by Eisenkot. Earlier projections had given Eisenkot’s side a narrow advantage in Knesset seats.

Exit polls in Israel are frequently updated and can be imprecise. Final results have often shifted by several seats, so the projected tie may not match the eventual count.

Coalition talks may hinge on Palestinian parties

Both blocs are projected to fall short of the 61 seats required for a majority coalition. Palestinian parties are forecast to increase their Knesset representation from 10 seats to as many as 18.

Experts said Eisenkot may need to negotiate with the Joint List and Ra’am if his bloc lacks a majority. Forming a government through such talks could take weeks.

Leaders address supporters

Netanyahu appeared at a post-election rally in Jerusalem shortly after 3am. He said official results would show that “Likud is the largest party in Israel,” according to Netanyahu, and called for a strong right-wing national government. He opposed forming a government reliant on Palestinian parties.

In Tel Aviv, Eisenkot told cheering supporters that “the Israeli public has voted against Netanyahu’s service as Israel’s prime minister,” according to Eisenkot. He said a worthy leader would accept the public’s lack of confidence and retire from politics, and warned Netanyahu against using Israel’s security for political purposes.

Polling hours dispute rejected

Netanyahu and several other parties made a late effort to keep polling stations open beyond the 10pm deadline. The Central Elections Committee rejected the request. Netanyahu publicly suggested that the “left and Arabs” were trying to steal the election, according to Netanyahu. The committee rejected the claim and said it had found no evidence of systematic tampering.