As Israel’s political picture began to take shape after the Knesset elections, Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Liberman called for a revolt within Likud against Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Speaking on Tuesday evening, Liberman argued that Netanyahu had “destroyed the national camp” and urged Likud members to openly oppose the party leadership. Saying that Netanyahu had “crossed the red lines,” Liberman said he had received numerous phone calls from within Likud.
“Raise the flag of revolt within Likud and say out loud what you really think. Netanyahu destroyed the national camp.”
Liberman also warned that the exit polls released after the election might not fully reflect the final results. Saying that a clearer picture would emerge on Friday, Liberman stated that no assessment should be made before the final results were announced.
No bloc reached a majority to form a government
Israel’s Election Committee announced that turnout was 77.7 percent. The figure, which was 7.1 percentage points higher than in the 2022 elections, was the highest turnout recorded since 1999.
Polling stations closed at 10 p.m. local time, and the counting of votes began. Exit polls by Israeli broadcasters showed the alliance led by Gadi Eisenkot ahead of Netanyahu’s alliance. However, no bloc reached the 61 seats needed to form a government in the 120-seat Knesset.
The exit poll by Israel’s official broadcaster gave Netanyahu’s alliance 50 seats, the Eisenkot alliance 53, and Arab parties 17 seats. Channel 13’s poll also put the distribution at 50, 53 and 17.
Channel 12’s exit poll gave Netanyahu’s alliance 50 seats, the Eisenkot alliance 52, and Arab parties 18 seats.
Liberman rejects a government relying on Arab parties’ external support
Liberman is firmly opposed to the option of a minority government relying on external support from Arab lawmakers. This option could be considered if opposition blocs fail to secure a majority of 61 seats.
Liberman is believed to be seeking to pull center-right lawmakers within Likud away from Netanyahu and clear the way for a different government option led by Eisenkot.
If at least eight lawmakers leave Likud, the Eisenkot-led bloc, which also includes Liberman’s party, could form a majority without needing the support of Arab parties. In such a scenario, Netanyahu, along with the Jewish Power party led by Itamar Ben-Gvir and the Religious Zionism party led by Bezalel Smotrich, could remain outside the government.
Official results to be announced on November 4
The election was held against the backdrop of a contest between Netanyahu and the opposition led by Eisenkot. Exit polls were released after the polls closed, while the first results were expected to emerge in the early hours of Wednesday and during the morning.
The official results of the election are expected to be announced on November 4.
