PoliticsTuesday, October 27, 20263 min read

No clear winner in Israeli election, exit polls indicate, as Netanyahu's fate hangs in the balance

By Cara Anna, Associated Press · Via PBS NewsHour · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The Israeli election, held on Tuesday, concluded without a clear winner, with exit polls indicating potential weeks of political maneuvering. Preliminary results suggest neither of the two main political blocs achieved the necessary 61 seats for a parliamentary majority.

Key points

The election was a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's wartime leadership.: The election was a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's wartime leadership.
The outcome is expected to be finalized in the coming days, with final results possibly d…: The outcome is expected to be finalized in the coming days, with final results possibly differing from the preliminary results.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

By — Tia Goldenberg, Associated Press Tia Goldenberg, Associated Press By — Cara Anna, Associated Press Cara Anna, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/no-clear-winner-in-israeli-election-exit-polls-indicate-as-netanyahus-fate-hangs-in-the-balance Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter No clear winner in Israeli election, exit polls indicate, as Netanyahu's fate hangs in the balance World Updated on Oct 27, 2026 4:12 PM EDT — Published on Oct 27, 2026 4:11 PM EDT JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel's election ended Tuesday with no clear winner, exit polls indicate, likely setting off weeks of jockeying before a leader is declared. WATCH: Netanyahu faces Israeli voters in first election since Oct. 7 and Gaza war An inconclusive result would leave Israel in political limbo after the country's first national election since Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack. The vote served as a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's wartime leadership. Exit polls released by major Israeli TV stations suggest that neither Netanyahu's political bloc nor that of his main rival, former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, secured the 61 seats needed for a parliamentary majority. Like all surveys, exit polls are subject to potential error. Preliminary results are expected in the coming hours. Final results are expected in the coming days and may vary from the exit polls. This is a developing story and will be updated. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Tia Goldenberg, Associated Press Tia Goldenberg, Associated Press By — Cara Anna, Associated Press Cara Anna, Associated Press

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel's election ended Tuesday with no clear winner, exit polls indicate, likely setting off weeks of jockeying before a leader is declared. WATCH: Netanyahu faces Israeli voters in first election since Oct. 7 and Gaza war An inconclusive result would leave Israel in political limbo after the country's first national election since Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack. The vote served as a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's wartime leadership. Exit polls released by major Israeli TV stations suggest that neither Netanyahu's political bloc nor that of his main rival, former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, secured the 61 seats needed for a parliamentary majority. Like all surveys, exit polls are subject to potential error. Preliminary results are expected in the coming hours. Final results are expected in the coming days and may vary from the exit polls. This is a developing story and will be updated. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now

Original source: www.pbs.org

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