Israel Election: Slender Lead For Benjamin Netanyahu Means He Could Be Asked To Form Next Government

The election in Israel remains on a knife-edge and there is still a strong chance Benjamin Netanyahu could be asked to form the next government.

Last night’s exit poll indicated that Netanyahu’s Likud Party plus right-wing bloc and challenger Gadi Eisenkot‘s coalition were neck-and-neck, but with well over half of votes now counted, it appears that Netanyahu has a slender lead. Likud is projected to remain largest party in the Knesset, the Israeli parliament.

As of this morning, Israeli news networks are now projecting Netanyahu’s bloc to win 55 seats, with Eisenkot’s trailing on 49.

Neither would have enough to form a majority government so Israel President Shimon Peres would therefore be tasked with commanding one of them to attempt to form a government with other parties, of which there are more than 30. This is what happened at the previous election. There is a strong chance Netanyahu could be the one given this task. Whoever is tasked with forming the next government has 28 days to make a coalition, although they can request a 14-day extension if extra time is needed. If they fail after this time, Peres can choose another candidate.

Neither Netanyahu nor Eisenkot have declared victory but overnight both told supporters they should be the one to form a government.

“The right-wing bloc has a clear, decisive majority among the Zionist public, among the Jewish public and all those who support the Jewish state,” said Netanyahu.

Eisenkot, on the other hand, said “the public has chosen change,” branding Netanyahu’s group a “coalition of failure.”

Eisenkot has an anti-Netanyahu bloc of support, many of whom are furious with Netanyahu for his handling of October 7 and the subsequent war with Iran and Lebanon. Netanyahu’s bloc is comprised of Likued plus right-wing and orthodox Jewish parties.

Notably, parties led by Israel’s Arab minority – who often identify as Palestinian citizens of Israel – are projected to outperform expectations. There is a chance these parties could act as Kingmakers if Eisenkot’s bloc is prepared to work with them.

Americans will also be watching with interest ahead of the mid-terms. According to BBC News citing Republicans Overseas, Israel estimates about half a million Israelis with American passports can vote in both polls.

Earlier this week, Israeli cinema professionals, a mostly liberal-minded community that has repeatedly been pegged back by the Netanyahu administration, spoke to us about their hopes and fears ahead of the election.