High turnout leaves Netanyahu and Eisenkot in tight race for Israeli leadership

Israeli voters cast ballots in their highest numbers in decades on Tuesday, creating a tight race for the prime ministership. The election determines whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right coalition will remain in power or if a center-right opposition group will take control of the government.

Voting concluded at 10 p.m. local time. Preliminary results broadcast on Israeli television did not declare a clear winner. Early exit polls indicate a slight edge for the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief of staff, over Netanyahu’s governing coalition.

The final count may not be available until Wednesday. If no single bloc secures an outright majority in the 120-seat Knesset, party leaders will spend days or weeks negotiating to form a governing coalition.

Exit polls suggest Netanyahu’s Likud Party won the most individual seats. Eisenkot’s Yashar party came in second. No party achieved a majority on its own. Three major exit polls place the four-party opposition alliance at 52 seats, while the Netanyahu coalition holds 50.

Shira Efron, an analyst at the Rand Corp. think tank, told NPR that the preliminary numbers represent a strong outcome for Eisenkot. She stated that the most likely scenario is Eisenkot receiving the mandate from the president to form the government. Efron noted he could attempt to form a minority government or join an alliance with Arab politicians.

Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister with nearly two decades in office across multiple tenures, faced stiff competition. His right-wing supporters were urged to vote throughout the day. Netanyahu posted several times on social media, expressing alarm at the high turnout among Arab citizens of Israel.

Voter Naama Aaronsohn described the election as more than important, calling it crucial for the country’s future. She expressed worry about what might happen if a major change did not occur. Itamar Ariel, another voter, said his choice centered on security. He noted that while problems exist in Israel, no one can replace Netanyahu.

Nur Abu Na, a 30-year-old nurse, called the current government racist against Arab citizens. She said it is important for her community to vote, noting that two predominantly Arab parties are participating in the election. She described the government as not good for anyone.

President Trump publicly endorsed Netanyahu before the vote. The two leaders plan to launch major attacks against Iran after the Israeli and U.S. midterm elections. They previously went to war together against Iran in June 2025 and again this February.