TEL AVIV: Netanyahu Faces Tough Election Challenge as Israeli voters turn out in record numbers for parliamentary elections, with the outcome expected to determine the political future of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the country’s next government.
According to Israel’s Central Elections Committee, voter turnout reached 55.7% by 4 p.m. local time, reportedly marking the highest participation recorded at that stage of an election. The figure surpassed the 47.5% turnout recorded at the same time during the 2022 elections. More than seven million citizens were eligible to vote, with expatriates also returning to participate in the crucial contest.
Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, faced a significant challenge from an opposition bloc led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot. Pre-election opinion polls suggested that Netanyahu’s religious-nationalist coalition could struggle to retain its parliamentary majority, although neither political bloc was assured of securing enough seats to form a government independently.
Netanyahu Faces Tough Election Challenge Amid Rising Arab Voter Turnout
The participation of Arab citizens emerged as a key issue during the election campaign. Netanyahu expressed concern over rising turnout among Arab voters and urged his supporters to mobilise behind his Likud party.
His remarks drew criticism from Arab political leaders, who accused him of using divisive rhetoric to rally his electoral base. Arab citizens account for approximately 21% of Israel’s population, making their participation potentially significant in a closely contested election.
Coalition Negotiations Could Determine Netanyahu’s Political Future
Polling stations were scheduled to close at 10 p.m. local time, after which television networks were expected to publish preliminary exit polls. However, the official results and subsequent coalition negotiations would determine which political bloc could form the next government.
Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, has 120 seats, and a governing coalition generally requires the support of at least 61 lawmakers to command a majority.
