Netanyahu and Eisenkot in tight race as Israel votes

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 28 Oct, 16:33 · Archive

Benjamin Netanyahu and Gadi Eisenkot are in a close contest to lead Israel after an election with record turnout.

Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot are in a tight race to become prime minister following Israel's election. Polling suggests neither Netanyahu's Likud coalition nor Eisenkot's Yashar-led opposition bloc secured enough seats for outright victory, with both running almost neck and neck. Voter turnout reached 77.7 per cent, the highest in nearly 30 years.

The Mirror reports that Netanyahu's Likud appears to have won marginally more seats than Eisenkot's opposition, though neither achieved the 61 seats needed for a majority. According to The Mirror, President Issac Herzog will speak to Knesset factions about their intentions before deciding who should attempt to form a government. The paper reports that convention suggests Netanyahu's party will lead the way in attempting alliances, though Herzog could choose Yashar if he wishes.

The Mirror states that weeks of political jockeying will follow, with both parties forced to negotiate and make promises to potential coalition partners, including Arab parties, to secure the seats needed to form a new government.

How it is being reported

• Benjamin Netanyahu and rival Gadi Eisenkot face weeks of political jockeying in IsraelBenjamin Netanyahu and the opposition leader, Gadi Eisenkot, are in a tight race for leadership as both blocs begin weeks of horse-trading to try and gain a coalition to form fresh Israeli governmentThe Mirror · 28 Oct, 16:07
• Political rivals, and their wives, vote in Israeli electionPolling published on Friday suggests incumbent Benjamin Netanyahu is almost neck-and-neck with former military chief Gadi Eisenkot in the race to become prime minister.BBC Politics · 27 Oct, 14:12

In this story: Benjamin Netanyahu · Gadi Eisenkot · Israel · Likud · Yashar · Issac Herzog · Knesset

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log