Netanyahu and Eisenkot Face Deadlock in Israel's Knesset Vote

Election officials in Israel expect to complete the count of votes by the afternoon of Wednesday, October 30. The results will determine which of the two leading candidates receives the initial mandate to assemble a governing coalition. That process allows six weeks for either Benjamin Netanyahu or Gadi Eisenkot to secure the 61 seats necessary for a majority in the 120-member Knesset.

The vote, held on Tuesday, October 28, marks the first general election in the country since the October 7 attack. Early reports indicated a tight race with no clear winner emerging immediately after polls closed. As of the latest counts, the race remains deadlocked, leaving it uncertain who will be declared the next prime minister.

Initial exit polls released on Tuesday night showed Eisenkot holding an advantage over Netanyahu. Eisenkot’s campaign headquarters saw supporters celebrating the preliminary numbers. Mayan Eshel, an Eisenkot supporter present at the event, told NPR she felt filled with optimism. She expressed hope that Israelis would wake up to a new day of democracy and a striving for peace.

The mood shifted as the night progressed. Overnight counts showed Netanyahu pulling ahead of Eisenkot. By Wednesday morning, the gap had narrowed to the point where neither candidate held a definitive lead. Many Israelis who went to bed expecting a change in leadership found themselves waking to a race too close to call.

Both candidates addressed their supporters in the early morning hours. Eisenkot delivered remarks that sounded like a victory speech. He warned Netanyahu not to use Israel’s security for political needs. His comment referred to the possibility of striking Iran during the transition period, a move Netanyahu had promised during the campaign. Netanyahu told his supporters that he would attempt to form the next government. He stated that the country needs a strong, right-wing government.

The path to a majority for either candidate is complicated by the performance of Arab-led parties. These parties are expected to support Eisenkot, providing him with a potential base of lawmakers. However, many within Eisenkot’s camp have shown resistance to forming a coalition with Arab partners. This hesitation stems from mistrust and political dynamics following the October 7 attacks, leaving both sides without an easy route to 61 seats.

Election officials anticipate that the final tally will be available by Wednesday afternoon. Once the winner is identified, that individual will begin the formal process of coalition building. Both Netanyahu and Eisenkot are expected to court defectors from the other side’s camp in an effort to reach the required majority. The next six weeks will be defined by these negotiations and the final distribution of seats.