Eisenkot Declares End of Netanyahu's Political Career After Israeli Election Exit Polls Show Opposition Tie

Following national legislative elections on October 28, 2026, opposition figure Gadi Eisenkot declared Benjamin Netanyahu's political tenure finished after exit polls showed both camps locked at 51 seats each.

• Deadlocked parliamentary math: Israeli Broadcasting Authority exit polls place Netanyahu's bloc and the opposition tied at 51 seats each, leaving Arab parties with 18 seats and neither primary faction holding the 61-seat threshold required for a majority.
• The post-conflict referendum: The vote marks the country's first national ballot since October 7, 2023, turning voter attention toward security protocols, military conscription policies, and long-term economic recovery.
• A protracted transition window: Eisenkot, heading the Yashar party, pledged to build a broad-based government while ruling out repeat elections, setting up weeks of complex horse-trading among smaller factions.

Expect weeks of bargaining across the 120-seat Knesset, where minor parties will dictate the durability of any emerging cabinet and regional market sentiment.