Israeli election goes down to the wire as Netanyahu 'set to lose majority'
Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party will likely remain the largest in Israel’s parliament but the PM’s coalition has lost its majority, exit polls suggest.
TL;DR
- Exit polls suggest Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party will remain the largest in Israel's parliament.
- Netanyahu's coalition has lost its majority, with opposition parties projected to win more seats.
- The anti-Netanyahu bloc, led by Gadi Eisenkot, is projected to win 53 seats compared to 50 for Netanyahu's bloc.
- Neither bloc has a clear path to forming a 61-seat majority, potentially leading to new elections.
- Voter turnout was high, standing at 74.3% as of 8 pm local time.
- Arab Israeli parties are projected to win a record number of seats, around 17 or 18.
- Security following the October 7 attacks was a main political issue.
- Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party is projected to win 22 seats.
- Netanyahu has been marred by corruption charges and accusations related to the October 7 attacks.