Israelis Vote in Record-Turnout Election as Exit Polls Show No Clear Majority for Either Bloc

Israelis voted Tuesday in a national election with record turnout, and exit polls from major television networks projected that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud would be the largest party but that neither his coalition nor the opposition had a clear majority in the 120-seat Knesset. By 6 p.m., 66.7% of eligible voters had voted, compared with 57.7% at the same hour in 2022, according to the Central Election Committee. Election officials rejected a request from Likud and the Shas party to extend voting beyond the 10 p.m. close, saying anyone in line by then could still vote. Netanyahu said opponents were trying to steal the election after three suspects reportedly linked to the Arab Ra'am party were arrested on suspicion of bribing voters in southern Israel; Ra'am denied wrongdoing. Israel's two Arab parties reportedly won more seats than ever. Netanyahu has pledged to finish the job against Iran, and President Donald Trump has endorsed him. The vote is the first national election since the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks.

Left-leaning CBS News leads with the exit-poll picture: a majority voted against Netanyahu's coalition, Likud is still the largest party, and both sides will struggle to build a coalition. It highlights record Arab-party gains, quotes Arab voters about a difficult period, and notes that both camps rule out relying on Arab parties. It ties the vote to the eight-month Iran war and the IAEA's call for access. AP, also counted on the left, focuses on opponents accusing Netanyahu of stoking tensions with Iran and reports of a clash with the military. Right-leaning Washington Examiner and Breitbart lead with turnout and the coalition's worries. The Examiner covers the rejected bid to extend voting hours and frames the vote as a referendum on Netanyahu. Breitbart leads with his "steal the election" quote, the Ra'am arrests, and emergency mobilization by Smotrich, Ben Gvir and Likud. Both sides note high turnout; the right stresses coalition anxiety and alleged irregularities, while the left stresses Arab turnout and Iran. The American Conservative adds a distinct angle: Saudi, Turkish and Pakistani officials meeting Iranian officials in Tehran, plus oil and gasoline prices.