Israelis turned out in record numbers on Tuesday for a high-stakes general election widely seen as the most consequential in the country’s recent history, with voter participation reaching 74.3 percent two hours before polls closed.
The Central Elections Committee rejected a request by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party and several allies to extend voting beyond the scheduled 10pm local time (20:00 GMT), saying there was “no justification” for a longer polling period. Those already in line at closing time were still permitted to vote.
The election is the first since the October 2023 start of the war in Gaza. Netanyahu’s Likud and its far-right coalition partners are facing a strong challenge from an opposition bloc that includes the Yashar party, led by former army chief Gadi Eisenkot.
Party leaders from across the spectrum repeatedly urged supporters to vote. Netanyahu called on right-wing Israelis to counter what he described as a surge in turnout among Palestinian citizens of Israel.
Joint List leader Yousef Jabareen accused the prime minister of incitement. “Netanyahu continues to incite against Arab citizens and question our legitimacy to vote,” Jabareen said.
Ta’al party leader Ahmad Tibi told Al Jazeera the main goal was to remove the Netanyahu government and prevent him from leading any transitional administration.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich issued a late appeal to right-wing voters, claiming turnout “in the Arab sector is unprecedented” and warning that a “dangerous left-wing government” could take power. “Do not despair! It is still possible to win,” Smotrich posted on X.
Former Knesset member Hanna Swaid linked the high participation to accumulated anger. “Palestinian citizens want to change things and kick out the extremist ministers,” he said, referring to National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. “The only way to do that in a democratic state, as far as you can still call Israel that, is elections.”
Kan exit poll also shows Netanyahu and opposition blocs tied at 51 seats
A new exit poll from the Kan public broadcaster is also showing the Netanyahu and opposition blocs tied at 51 seats each.
Netanyahu’s Likud party is projected to gain two seats, rising to 27, and Eisenkot’s Yashar party is projected to lose one, falling to 21, the poll from Kan showed.
Earlier, Israel’s Channel 13 also published an updated exit poll giving the opposition and Netanyahu’s bloc both 51 seats.
Channel 13’s exit poll showed the Palestinian-Israeli parties still holding 18 seats.
Final results are expected in the coming days as counting continues.
