Hendel and Zelecha Party Falls Short of Electoral Threshold in Exit Polls

Exit polls indicate that the joint party led by Yoaz Hendel and Yaron Zelecha has failed to cross the electoral threshold as voting concluded. Speaking to supporters in Modi'in shortly before the television broadcasts, Hendel struck a defiant yet realistic tone, stating that at least they made the effort.

The atmosphere at the party headquarters in a Modi'in industrial zone was tense throughout the evening, with dozens of journalists and a handful of activists awaiting the results. Despite a high voter turnout reported across the country throughout the day, the surplus of valid ballots ultimately raised the threshold required for entry into the Knesset, leaving the joint list short of the necessary votes.

Reflecting on the campaign, Hendel noted that final outcomes would only become clear toward the weekend once soldier ballots and double-envelope votes are fully tallied. Activists spent the evening comparing notes on local campaigning efforts and competition from rival factions such as Shas before the exit polls confirmed the party's exclusion from parliament.