Netanyahu Defends Seat Against Eisenkot in Historic Israeli Vote

Benjamin Netanyahu is attempting to hold onto his position as prime minister as Israelis cast ballots in the first parliamentary election since the October 2023 attacks. Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. local time on Tuesday and will close at 10 p.m. The vote determines the composition of the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, and the potential formation of the country’s 38th government.

Netanyahu’s current coalition, composed of right-wing, far-right, and ultra-Orthodox parties, completed a full four-year term after taking office in December 2022. It is the first Israeli government to finish a full term since 1988. However, pre-election polls indicate his bloc may fall short of the 61 seats required for a parliamentary majority. Projections place his support at approximately 50 seats.

Gadi Eisenkot, the former military chief of staff, leads the main opposition challenge through his party, Yashar. Eisenkot is seeking to end Netanyahu’s tenure as the country’s longest-serving prime minister. Netanyahu has served a total of more than 19 years across three separate terms. His first term ran from 1996 to 1999, followed by a period in office from 2009 to 2021. He assumed his current role in December 2022.

Pre-election surveys show Eisenkot’s Yashar party leading Likud in public opinion. Yet neither the opposition nor the incumbent bloc is expected to secure a majority independently. Palestinian-led parties are projected to win a combined 14 to 16 seats. This potential bloc could give these parties leverage in government formation, although both main camps have ruled out including them in a governing coalition.

Turnout among Palestinian citizens of Israel is a key variable in the count. These voters represent roughly 18 percent of the electorate, or about 1.17 million people. Pollsters suggest a turnout of 60 to 70 percent, an increase from 53 percent in 2022, could help the Ra’am and Joint List parties secure their projected seats. The Arab48 news outlet reported high early turnout in Palestinian-majority towns on Tuesday.

Israeli television channels are scheduled to broadcast exit polls when voting concludes. Unofficial results are expected during the night. The full count of votes is projected to be completed by October 30, with official results due on November 4.