Exit polls show no clear winner in Israeli election; Netanyahu and Eisenkot blocs deadlocked

Unbiased summary

Israel held a general election on Tuesday with voter turnout reported at over 74%, the highest since 1999. Exit polls from major Israeli broadcasters indicated that neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud-led bloc nor former military chief Gadi Eisenkot's opposition bloc secured the 61 seats needed for a majority in the 120-seat Knesset. Polls varied: Kan 11 and Channel 13 showed the blocs tied at 51-51, while Channel 12 gave Netanyahu a narrow 52-49 lead. Arab parties were projected to win a record 18-19 seats. Official results, including approximately 600,000 absentee ballots, were expected in the coming days. Both Netanyahu and Eisenkot addressed supporters, with Netanyahu calling for a strong right-wing government and Eisenkot saying voters had rejected the longtime leader.

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Coverage by outlet

The Mirror centre-left

Angle Frames the story around Netanyahu's defiant victory speech despite exit polls suggesting a rebuke from voters.

Bias Emphasises Netanyahu's claims of victory and his call for a right-wing government, while also highlighting exit polls that initially showed his opponents with an edge. Downplays the later revised polls that gave Netanyahu a slight increase and omits the specific seat tallies from the revised polls. The framing creates a contrast between Netanyahu's defiant tone and the voters' apparent rebuke, leaning toward a narrative of Netanyahu overreaching.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims he has won election in 'victory speech'

BBC News centre-left

Angle Presents the election as pivotal with no clear winner, focusing on the deadlock and the role of Arab parties.

Bias Emphasises the projected seat counts for both blocs (51-51 or 52-53 for Eisenkot's bloc vs. 50 for Netanyahu's), the record Arab party seats, and the high voter turnout. Notes that official results will take days and includes procedural details about government formation. Downplays Netanyahu's victory speech and his call for a right-wing government, omitting his claim that Likud is the largest party. The framing is largely neutral but slightly tilts toward the opposition's momentum by highlighting Eisenkot supporters chanting 'Bibi, go home!'

Israeli exit polls suggest no clear winner in pivotal general election

GB News right

Angle Focuses on the deadlock and questions over Netanyahu's future, while giving prominence to calls for him to step down.

Bias Emphasises that neither candidate claimed victory and that the deadlock could leave Netanyahu as caretaker prime minister. Highlights the left-wing Democrats leader Yair Golan's call that the public 'fired the Netanyahu Government' and frames the election as a potential 'government of change.' Downplays Netanyahu's claim that Likud is the largest party and omits the revised polls showing a slight increase for Netanyahu. The coverage leans toward a narrative of Netanyahu's vulnerability.

Benjamin Netanyahu urged to step down as Israeli Prime Minister after exit polls suggest political deadlock

Daily Mail right

Angle Frames the election as a referendum on Netanyahu's leadership with his political future hanging in the balance, while noting Likud remains the largest party.

Bias Emphasises that Likud will remain the largest party but that the rival bloc could still oust Netanyahu, and highlights the record Arab party seats and high turnout. Downplays Netanyahu's victory speech and his call for a right-wing government, instead focusing on the prospect of prolonged stalemate and fears of repeat elections. The coverage leans toward a narrative of uncertainty for Netanyahu, though it acknowledges his party's size advantage.

No clear winner in Israeli general election: Exit polls predict Netanyahu's party to win most seats but rival bloc 'will be bigger and could still oust him'