Record Turnout Defines Tense Israeli Vote as Netanyahu Faces Eisenkot
Voters cast ballots in the highest-participation election in four decades, with early exit polls showing a tight race between the incumbent premier and the former military chief.
By Julian Reed ·
Israeli voters cast their ballots on Tuesday in a parliamentary election that officials expect to produce the highest turnout in nearly 40 years. The high participation rate signals a decisive moment for the country's political direction, as citizens weigh whether to retain Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or shift to a new government.
Early exit polls indicate a tight contest between Netanyahu and Gadi Eisenkot, a center-right former military chief of staff. Voting concluded at 10 p.m. local time, but the final count is not expected until Wednesday. If no single bloc secures an outright majority, coalition negotiations could take days or weeks to determine the next prime minister.
This election marks the first parliamentary vote since the Hamas-led attack in October 2023 and the subsequent years of war in Gaza and other parts of the Middle East. Naama Aaronsohn, a voter, described the stakes in strong terms. "Important is an underestimation, because it's much more than important. It's crucial," she said. "I'm worried.. What's going to become of our country if there's not a major change?"
Netanyahu, who has served as prime minister for almost two decades across multiple tenures, has voiced alarm regarding voter participation. Throughout the day, he posted on social media about the high number of Arab citizens casting votes. Two predominantly Arab parties are running in the election. Nur Abu Na, a 30-year-old Arab voter, said, "This government it's not good for us and .. not good for anyone." In contrast, Itamar Ariel, another voter, stated that his choice supports Netanyahu for security reasons.
The election results will also shape the timing of military actions against Iran. President Donald Trump publicly endorsed Netanyahu after the two nations conducted joint strikes against Iran in June 2025 and again in February 2026. The two leaders plan to launch major attacks against Iran following the completion of the Israeli and U.S. midterm elections.
Reporting for this developing story was provided by Daniel Estrin from Tel Aviv and Ruth Sherlock from Jerusalem. Samantha Balaban, Itay Stern, Shir David, and Alon Avital contributed to the reporting from Israel.
Source: NPR
