Israel: Likud first, but no bloc has a majority

Exit polls from Israel’s three main TV channels put Netanyahu’s Likud ahead, but the opposition bloc on 52–53 seats against 50 for the prime minister’s camp. Neither side reaches a majority, and Arab parties could hold the balance. These are preliminary exit-poll figures.

With more than half of the votes counted on 28 October, Netanyahu’s Likud has 26 seats and Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar 21. A majority needs 61 of 120 seats, and neither the prime minister’s camp nor the opposition “bloc of change” reaches it.

Arab parties could be decisive: the Joint List (12) and Ra’am (7) have 19 seats together. They will not back Netanyahu but are open to talks with the opposition about a Jewish-Arab coalition. The results are still being finalised.