Israelis vote in historic election as Netanyahu remains in the race

Voters in Israel cast their ballots on Wednesday in a contest that delivered a strong signal against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, though not a definitive defeat.

The election saw a turnout of 77.7% among eligible voters. That figure marks the highest participation rate since 1999. The high engagement reflects a population eager to shape the country's direction after three years of war.

With 50% of the votes counted, Netanyahu's Likud party holds 20.6% of the total. Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party trails with 16.8%. The Central Elections Committee is still processing the remaining ballots, including hundreds of thousands of absentee votes. Final seat allocations for the 120-seat Knesset are not yet determined.

Exit polls from major television stations suggest a fragmented parliament. Netanyahu's bloc and Eisenkot's coalition each appear to have won roughly 51 seats. Arab-led parties have secured approximately 18 seats. This math creates a tight race where no single group holds a majority on its own.

Netanyahu, who has served for nearly 17 years, remains defiant. He told supporters that Israel needs a strong, right-wing, nationalist government. He described a partnership with Arab parties, who make up 20% of the population, as treasonous. He aims to be asked by President Isaac Herzog to form the next government, though the president is not required to choose the largest party.

Eisenkot, a former military chief, offers a centrist alternative. He has left the door open to working with Arab parties if they recognize Israel as a Jewish state and label Hamas as an extremist group. Some of his likely partners have rejected those conditions in the past. Eisenkot pledged to form a government focused on national unity and described his vision as a new era of hope.

The political future now hinges on whether Eisenkot can bridge the gap with Arab-led factions. Those parties represent the descendants of Palestinians who remained in the state after its creation in 1948. They have faced long-standing discrimination and wariness, tensions that intensified after the October 7, 2023, attack. Mansour Abbas, leader of the United Arab List, declared that his party is no longer on the sidelines.

Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir appears to be a clear loser in this vote. He represented the most extreme wing of Netanyahu's government to many Israelis. His comments taunting Palestinian detainees and his characterization of some in Gaza sparked significant anger among voters.

The election is seen as a referendum on Netanyahu's rule. His supporters credit him with leading the country through a war of redemption. Critics argue he prolonged the conflict in Gaza for political reasons and weakened the judiciary. They also point to his ongoing corruption trial and the draft exemptions granted to the ultra-Orthodox population.

If no coalition can be formed, Israel may face another round of elections early next year. The country held five elections between 2019 and 2022 due to similar political deadlocks. Minority governments are possible but require cooperation from outside parties to pass legislation.

Israel faces growing international isolation. Support among Americans has dropped, and European partners have imposed sanctions. Netanyahu also faces an international arrest warrant for alleged crimes against humanity in Gaza, a charge he denies. The days ahead will be defined by these internal and external pressures.