Netanyahu and Eisenkot both claim right to form government after deadlocked Israeli election

JERUSALEM: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and rival Gadi Eisenkot each vowed on 28 October 2026 to form a government after both fell short in Israel's election. It was the first national vote since the 7 October 2023 attack.

Turnout was nearly 78 per cent, the highest since 1999. Voters were passing judgement on Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving prime minister, who has pushed the country sharply to the right.

The three main Israeli television networks gave each bloc around 51 seats in exit polls. Parliament needs 61 seats for a majority. The polls had first given an edge to the opposition.

Arab Israeli parties were projected to win 17 to 18 seats, a sharp gain. Some Arab communities reported near-universal turnout. The Straits Times said this was driven by outrage at often derogatory rhetoric from Netanyahu's far-right allies.

Netanyahu, 77, spoke to supporters at a Jerusalem convention centre after 3am. He called for a "strong government of the right" and said the "Jewish and Zionist majority must unite". He did not directly claim victory.

He also hinted at a third bombing campaign against Iran. "Israel has a unique opportunity with our partner President Trump to forever eliminate the existential threat of Iran," he said.

Eisenkot, a former military chief and political novice, spoke to supporters in Tel Aviv. "Netanyahu, don't you dare use Israel's security for your political needs," he said. He called Netanyahu "a caretaker prime minister, without a mandate or the people's trust".

"The public has voted for change," Eisenkot said. He urged Netanyahu to retire from political life. He said a second election would be a mistake and promised to work "swiftly" to form a government.

Eisenkot shares many of Netanyahu's views on security and has backed the Gaza offensive. He has vowed to create a more inclusive atmosphere in Israel and to rein in extremist settlers in the West Bank.

Arab leader Mansour Abbas said the right had "suffered a major loss" and that he was open to working with Eisenkot. Eisenkot said during the campaign that he would not govern with Arab lawmakers. Netanyahu suggested a government relying on Arab votes would lack legitimacy.

Arab lawmakers could back a minority government in parliamentary votes without joining the coalition. If not, Israel could head to fresh elections.

Far-right leader Itamar Ben-Gvir, who did less well than expected in the exit polls, warned Netanyahu that a unity government with Eisenkot would be "a terrible mistake".

Political scientist Gideon Rahat of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem said: "Even if Netanyahu lost, that doesn't mean Eisenkot won."