World

Israelis vote in first election since October 7 attack, with polls pointing to deadlock

Jerusalem • October 27, 2026 • By Press Pass USA

Editorial illustration: voters walking toward a polling station in Jerusalem in morning light

Editorial illustration — Press Pass USA

Israelis headed to the polls on Tuesday for the country's first national election since the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023, a vote that could decide whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains in power — with final polls pointing to deadlock and no clear winner.

Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. and close at 10 p.m. Israel time, when television channels will publish exit polls. Israelis vote for parties, not candidates, for all 120 Knesset seats; a list needs at least 3.25% of valid votes to enter parliament, and 61 seats are needed for a majority.

Final surveys put Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar narrowly ahead of Netanyahu's Likud, both in the low 20s of seats — Channel 12 put Yashar on 23 and Likud on 21, Channel 13 on 22 and 19, and Kan on 22 and 20. The Netanyahu-led bloc was projected at 49 to 55 seats and the opposition bloc at 50 to 55, with Arab parties at roughly 12 to 15 seats potentially decisive. One pollster, Channel 14, stood apart, putting the Netanyahu bloc above the majority line.

No result is claimed in this report: a clear picture may emerge within hours of polls closing, Reuters notes, but if no bloc has a clear majority it could take much longer. The final tally is expected around October 30, with official results formally published on November 4; President Isaac Herzog will then consult party leaders and tap the candidate he believes has the best chance of forming a government, who would have up to 42 days to do so.

Sources: Reuters (Oct 27, 2026); Reuters election explainer (Oct 26, 2026).