Israelis Cast 78% of Votes in Highest Turnout Since 1999

Israelis went to the polls Wednesday with a 78% turnout, the highest rate recorded since 1999. With 77% of ballots counted, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party holds 20.8% of the vote. His main rival, Gadi Eisenkot of the Yashar party, trails at 16.4%. The central elections committee has not yet assigned specific seats in the 120-member Knesset, leaving the final math in flux.

The high participation rate reflects deep anxiety over the current government. Many voters expressed frustration with the alliance between Netanyahu and the far right. A major point of contention is the exemption of ultra-Orthodox men from military draft. This issue has fueled anger in a nation weary from the war that began after the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023.

Netanyahu has served as prime minister for nearly 17 years. He is the longest-serving leader in the country's history. His party's share of the vote dropped from 23.4% in the 2022 election to 20.8% in the current count. Despite the drop, exit polls suggest his governing coalition may still hold the upper hand in forming a government.

The opposition faces a difficult path to power. Eisenkot has signaled willingness to partner with Arab-led parties under specific conditions. These conditions include recognition of Israel as a Jewish state and an acknowledgment of Hamas as an extremist group. However, some of Eisenkot's likely allies have previously ruled out such an alliance, creating uncertainty about whether a centrist coalition can reach a majority.

Arab-led parties made a strong showing in this election. These parties represent 20% of the population. Netanyahu has called it treasonous to rely on them for a governing majority. He stated that Israel must establish a strong, right-wing, nationalist government that does not depend on anti-Zionist Arab parties.

Itamar Ben-Gvir, the far-right national security minister, lost some support in this vote. He has been a polarizing figure who often taunts Palestinian detainees. Many Israelis view his stance as the most extreme element of the current government. His party's performance will influence the final composition of any right-wing bloc.

President Isaac Herzog will now determine which party leader gets the first chance to form a government. He is not required to task the leader of the largest party, though that is the standard procedure. If no candidate can secure 61 seats, the country will face a stalemate. Israel held five elections between 2019 and 2022 due to similar deadlocks.

Final results are expected in the coming days. This includes the counting of hundreds of thousands of absentee ballots from military personnel and diplomats. The outcome will determine if Israel returns to the polls early next year or if a new government takes office. Voters in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem expressed divided opinions on the necessity of including Arab parties in the next cabinet.

Mansour Abbas, leader of the United Arab List, declared that his party is no longer on the sidelines. This is the first time the party has won a significant number of seats since its brief stint in a coalition in 2021. The mood at their headquarters was one of celebration, marking a historic moment for political representation in the Knesset.