Israeli exit polls show a significant shift with Palestinian citizens emerging as a formidable force, leading to a Likud-led coalition projected to win 50 seats, opposition parties securing 53 seats, and the Joint List and Raam securing 17 seats, leaving neither Netanyahu nor the Zionist opposition parties in a position to form a majority. This development underscores the growing political significance of Palestinian citizens in Israeli politics and potential further shifts in the country's political dynamics.
Key points
Palestinian citizens are projected to secure 17 seats in the parliament.: Palestinian citizens are projected to secure 17 seats in the parliament.
This development highlights the growing political significance of Palestinian citizens in…: This development highlights the growing political significance of Palestinian citizens in Israeli politics.
Potential further shifts in the country's political dynamics.: Potential further shifts in the country's political dynamics.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
This is an entry from: Live: Israeli exit polls indicate deadlock in Tuesday's election
Israeli exit polls show huge Palestinian gains block Netanyahu and Eisenkot from forming majority
27 October 2026 20:12 GMT
Neither Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor the Zionist opposition parties have enough seats to form a government following a huge surge in voting from Palestinian citizens of Israel, an exit poll suggested on Tuesday.
After polls closed at 10pm local time, Channel 13 said Netanyahu’s bloc is projected to win 50 seats with the opposition set to take 53 – far short of a 61 seat majority.
The Joint List and Raam, two slates representing Palestinian citizens of Israel, are projected to pick up 17 seats, which would be a record number of Arab MPs in Israel’s parliament, the Knesset.
Veteran political commentator Meron Rapoport predicts the end of the Netanyahu era following recent results, indicating Likud's inability to secure a majority in parliament and opposition hostility towards Palestinians. Despite this, Rapoport believes politicians will avoid another election that would result in a coalition with 70 seats, far from Netanyahu's 50 seats.
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