Netanyahu Leads Early Vote Count in Israel's 26th Knesset Elections
Early official results from Israel's 26th Knesset elections show Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leading as over two million votes are counted, with coalition negotiations underway.
With over two million votes counted in Israel's 26th Knesset elections, early official results show Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leading as vote-tallying continues. According to the Central Election Commission, data from 5,037 polling stations representing 2,132,650 voters places the Likud party at 29 mandates. Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party follows closely with 20 seats, while the joint slate of BeYachad and the Joint List secure 11 mandates each.
United Torah Judaism stands at 9 mandates, and Yisrael Beytenu holds 8. Otzma Yehudit, The Democrats, Shas, and Religious Zionism each capture 7 seats, with Ra'am crossing the electoral threshold with 4 mandates. Prime Minister Netanyahu's right-wing bloc currently stands at 59 mandates, while the opposition bloc holds 46, and Arab parties account for 15 seats.
US President Donald Trump reacted to the electoral race, stating in a Truth Social post that the contest remains tight but praising Netanyahu's performance. Trump credited his own endorsement for shifting the political momentum, noting that Netanyahu managed to close the gap from an earlier deficit.
Speaking at the International Convention Center in Jerusalem, Prime Minister Netanyahu urged the Zionist majority to unite and establish a strong nationalist government. Opposition leaders also addressed the public, with Yashar leader Gadi Eisenkot asserting that Netanyahu faces a stronger Zionist majority, while former Prime Minister Yair Lapid declared that the results signal the end of the current administration.
