Israelis vote in a close election for the 26th Knesset
Polls show Netanyahu's bloc and the opposition both short of 61 seats; turnout at 10am was the highest for that hour since 1981. Exit polls are due at 10pm.
Polls opened at 7am on Tuesday for the election of all 120 members of the 26th Knesset. About 7.3 million people are eligible to vote at more than 12,000 polling stations, and 36 lists are on the ballot, according to figures from the Central Elections Committee carried by Shasha.
Turnout reached 16.7 per cent by 10am, with about 1.2 million votes cast, the highest at that hour since 1981, the Times of Israel reported. Several parties, including Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar and Avigdor Liberman's Yisrael Beytenu, filed complaints about missing or defaced ballot slips.
“Netanyahu could once again emerge victorious even if his opponents collectively win more votes”
Ariela Karmel, political correspondent, The Times of Israel
Final polls gave Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc 50 to 51 seats against 52 to 56 for the four Jewish-led opposition parties, with the Arab-led Ra'am and Joint List projected at 14 to 16 combined. Lists need 3.25 per cent of the vote to enter parliament.
Exit polls will be published when voting ends at 10pm. Official results are expected on 4 November, after which President Isaac Herzog will consult party leaders before asking a candidate to form a government.
Reported from
- The Times of Israel27 Oct
- The Times of Israel27 Oct
- Shasha (Arabic)27 Oct
This story summarises the reporting above in Shasha Post’s own words. Spotted an error? Tell us: corrections are made in the story and noted at its foot.