Israel election projections leave Netanyahu and Eisenkot blocs short of a majority

Israel voted on Tuesday, 27 October, in its first election since the Hamas attack of 7 October 2023 (Haribhoomi, Rajasthan Patrika). Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced a close contest with former army chief Gadi Eisenkot (Rajasthan Patrika). Exit polls and partial counts reported by Indian outlets showed neither bloc reaching the 61 seats needed in the 120-member Knesset (Deshbandhu, Khas Khabar).

What every report agrees on

Reports agree that forming a government requires the support of 61 of the Knesset's 120 members (TV9 Bharatvarsh, Amar Ujala). Turnout was described as a record, with voting running until 10 pm (Hindustan, Prabhat Khabar). Exit polls showed no camp with a clear majority (Deshbandhu, Hindustan). Netanyahu's Likud was projected to be the largest single party (Punjab Kesari, Jansatta). Arab parties were widely described as possible kingmakers (Dainik Bhaskar, Khas Khabar, Prabhat Khabar).

What the record shows

The reports give different figures for which bloc was ahead. Dainik Jagran reported exit polls giving Eisenkot's opposition bloc 52 to 53 seats and a slight lead (Dainik Jagran). Punjab Kesari, citing exit polls from three major broadcasters, also said the opposition was ahead (Punjab Kesari), and Prabhat Khabar reported projected losses for Likud (Prabhat Khabar). Dainik Bhaskar, with 32.5% of votes counted, reported 59 seats for Netanyahu's alliance, 46 for Eisenkot's and 15 for Arab parties (Dainik Bhaskar). News Nation reported that after about 90% of the count, Netanyahu's camp stood at 53 seats while the opposing camp held 67 in total (News Nation). Khas Khabar said that after more than 90% of the count both blocs remained well short of 61, Arab parties had 19 seats, and double-envelope ballots were being counted (Khas Khabar). Deshbandhu cited the public broadcaster Kan's exit poll as leaving government formation unclear (Deshbandhu). Before the vote, Navbharat Times reported surveys showing Eisenkot's Yashar ahead of Likud and talk of an alliance between rivals that could return Netanyahu to power (Navbharat Times). After the vote, Eisenkot said he was ready to form a government (Jansatta). Likud alleged voter fraud at Arab polling stations, according to Nava Bharat (Nava Bharat). The reports do not include final official results. None of the outlets in this set carries a media-bias rating, so no left or right comparison is possible.

Drafted by the Alethman engine from 16 independent reports, and checked by an editor before publication. An outlet's side comes from published media-bias ratings (Media Bias/Fact Check, AllSides) or documented ownership, named under the coverage bar; Alethman does not rate outlets itself.