With over 3 million votes counted, Netanyahu pulls ahead of Eisenkot but fails to reach 61

Illustrative image of Benjamin Netanyahu and Gadi Eisenkot
Yashar party chairman Gadi Eisenkot is seen gesturing to the crowd following the 2026 elections October 27, 2026.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at Likud headquarters following the release of exit polls.

Over 50% votes counted, as Netanyahu's bloc leads with 55 seats in official CEC data

Live Updates

Trump claims endorsement shifted momentum for Netanyahu in 26th Knesset election race

US President Donald Trump (R) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) walk inside after Netanyahu arrived at Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida; December, 2025.
MK Mansour Abbas attends a plenum session and a vote on a bill to split the duties and powers currently held by the attorney general between two separate officeholders, at the assembly hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, July 15, 2026.

Israeli Arab political power rising with elections, challenging world’s assumptions

ANALYSIS
Yashar party head Gadi Eisenkot waves during an election rally at Hangar 11 in Tel Aviv, two days ahead of Israel’s general elections, October 25, 2026

Eisenkot declares victory as bloc takes lead over Netanyahu's, despite election deadlock

COMMENT

It’s time to set ego aside: Netanyahu, Eisenkot must form unity government - comment

Yashar party chairman Gadi Eisenkot alongside members of his party at the party’s election headquarters in Tel Aviv, following the closing of polling stations and the release of exit poll results on Israel’s general election night, October 28, 2026.

Anti-Netanyahu bloc vows not to let chance to replace government slip away

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at Likud headquarters following the release of exit polls.

Netanyahu calls for right-wing government, warns against reliance on Arab parties

 President Isaac Herzog.

Netanyahu or Eisenkot? Israel's election leaves Herzog with an impossible choice

COMMENT
Riot police officers stand guard in front of the TV Pink building in Belgrade, Serbia, October 26, 2026.

Knife attacker killed outside Israel's embassy to Serbia after guard attacked, Serbian police say

Joint List party chairman Yousef Jabareen and supporters gather at the party’s election headquarters in the northern Israeli city of Nazareth, following the closing of polling stations on Israel’s general election night, October 27, 2026.

Arab parties Ra'am, Joint List soar to 19 seats amid high turnout, election polling data show

(L-R) Yoaz Hendel, Ofer Winter, and Moti Leitner

People of Israel, Reservists-Economic Party, Haredi Public all projected to fall short of threshold

Election Night: Netanyahu's bloc overtakes opposition, but both fall short of majority

 Billboard encouraging to cast their votes, in Tel Aviv during Election Day, October 27, 2026.

After three years of war, division, Israelis vote in record numbers to shape their future

EDITORIAL

Yair Golan's Democrats projected to win nine Knesset seats in Israeli election, exit polls show

Democrats party chairman Yair Golan and members of his party celebrate at the party’s election headquarters in Tel Aviv, following the release of exit poll results on Israel’s general election night, October 27, 2026.

Ben-Gvir, RZP to win combined 12 seats, election exit polls project

Otzma Yehudit party chairman and Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, alongside members of his party, at the party’s election headquarters in Modiin, on Israel’s general election night, October 28, 2026.

Shas, UTJ projected to win 12-13 seats in next Knesset, election exit polls predict

A view of the empty Shas party election headquarters in Jerusalem, following the closing of polling stations and the release of exit poll results on Israel’s general election night, October 27, 2026.

Can business save Israel-Australia relations? Ambassador says there is still hope

Israeli Ambassador to Australia Hillel Newman.

Arab voter turnout surges past 2022 figures as haredi strongholds lag behind

Arab Israelis cast their vote at a voting station in Maghar, during the Knesset Elections, on November 1, 2022.

Arab voter turnout would have been lower had there been any other outgoing government

ANALYSIS
ANALYSIS

Israel has voted, but the coalition deadlock is just beginning

A child looks at a banner depicting Prime Minister and Likud party leader Benjamin Netanyahu, during the country's national elections in Jerusalem, October 27, 2026.

Liberman's Yisrael Beytenu projected to win 8 seats in next Knesset, election polling data predict

Yisrael Beiteinu party chairman MK Avigdor Liberman at the party’s election headquarters in Tel Aviv, on Israel’s general election night, October 27, 2026.

Bennett's B'Yachad projected to win 11 seats in next Knesset, election polling date predict

Israelis cast their votes at a polling station in Jerusalem during Election Day, October 27, 2026.

How is the Western world reporting on Israel's 26th Knesset elections?

Illustrative: A voting box in the an Israeli election in 2015.

How is the Muslim world reporting on Israel’s election?

(L-R): Yashar head Gadi Eisenkot; Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Eisenkot and Netanyahu have reason to celebrate, but Israel does not, yet

COMMENT
A superhero in every field. Gal Gadot.

'Eretz Nehederet' tackles Israel's election-night drama with Gal Gadot, political satire

American, Israeli Jews report stronger bonds despite challenges of recent years, survey finds

American Jews [Illustrative]

UK urged to classify anti-Zionism as extremism, ban marches near Jewish institutions

STUDY

Some 75% of Jewish employees find workplace DEI approaches inconsistent on antisemitism

A Jewish man works in an office.
INTERVIEW

‘We bear the consequences’: Diaspora Jews fear fallout from Israel’s election

Voters casting ballots in Israel's 25th Knesset election

Netherlands to sit out Eurovision for second year in protest of Israel’s participation

Jalud families still unable to return to burned homes despite High Court order

A Palestinian property damaged in an attack by extremist Israeli settlers in Jalud, south of Nablus, September 29, 2026.

Houthis claim to have hit Saudi Ras Tanura oil refinery, defense ministry with ballistic missiles

ANALYSIS

Iraq deepens ties with Jordan as Baghdad looks to strengthen regional alliances

Settlers in the Mateh Binyamin area, a regional council governing 47 Israeli settlements and outposts in the West Bank. November 02, 2025. (Illustrative)

New settlement outposts opening in Hebron Hills in response to Yehuda Junction attack

Israeli security forces near the scene of a shooting attack near the West Bank city of Hebron, October 23, 2026. Five people were wounded in the attack, two of them seriously, and two Palestinian terrorists were killed by Israeli forces.

Palestinians protest against military demolitions in West Bank as Israelis vote

Eisenkot is hoping to beat Netanyahu, but what does the Yashar leader stand for?

EXPLAINER
Headquarters of the Yashar Party led by Gadi Eisenkot during Israel's general election on October 27, 2026.

'We do whatever they say': Yeshiva students defer to rabbis over response to IDF draft enforcement

EXPLAINER

Israel Election 2026: What does Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar stand for?

Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yashar party, together with party members, attends the presentation of the party’s candidate list ahead of the upcoming general elections in Rosh HaAyin, September 7, 2026.

'Don't feel like waiting': Voters complain of long lines at polling stations amid historic turnout

Israelis cast their votes at a polling station in Jerusalem during Election Day, October 27, 2026.
OPINION

Israel’s election system puts coalition deals ahead of voter choice

ByDANIEL EPSTEIN-O’DOWD, SETH BARRETT TILLMAN

Netanyahu has turned Israel into a defense-tech powerhouse and a model US ally

OPINION
FILE PHOTO: US President Donald Trump points his finger towards Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as they shake hands during a press conference after meeting at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, US, December 29, 2025

Israel, Greece conduct joint naval exercise for operational scenarios, sinking hostile ships

Israel to supply Cyprus with new offshore patrol vessel equipped with Rafael systems

Magos' counter drone system

As drone threat grows, Magos expands commercial security capabilities

Arbel system

Thailand receives IWI's ARBEL anti-drone solution

Flavio Bolsonaro and family to receive US visas after leaving Brazil, State Department says

Brazilian presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro of the Liberal Party (PL) arrives to speak after losing the presidential runoff election, in Brasilia, Brazil October 25, 2026.

Hacker trying to breach US Federal Election Commission system, email shows

Two men charged in UK with helping Iran over RAF Fairford incident

US Air Force bombers sit on the tarmac at RAF Fairford base in Fairford, south-west England on September 28, 2026, a day after British counter-terrorism police were probing "a major" incident near the base.

Trump says Brazil election looked 'rigged', defeated Bolsonaro's party recognizes Lula win

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva gestures as he addresses supporters after his victory in the presidential runoff election, at Paulista Avenue, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, October 26.

Israeli ad tech company targeted Starlink internet users in suspected attempt at espionage

STARLINK SATELLITES are pictured in the sky over a farm in the Almaty Region, Kazakhstan January 25, 2025.

G-d, Love & Blues and a Bit of Whiskey

Eduard Shyfrin explores the search for balance, faith and inner peace through his music.

Mark Wilf at The Jewish Agency: Building connection, unity, and trust

Mark Wilf visits a summer camp hosting Israeli teens from the Campers2Gether program

Hebrew University start-up wins Asper Prize for approach to cancer treatment

ViVac Pharma celebrates winning the 2026 Asper Prize at Hebrew University. From left: Prof. Tamir Sheafer, Dr. Lior Nissim, Keren Leshem, Gail Asper and Dr. Amnon Dekel.

Birthright Israel to hold first Taglit Global Business Summit in Tel Aviv

Participants on a Birthright Israel program.

Israelis head to polls with open wallets as Election Day spending rises sharply from 2022 election

Former senior Tax Authority officials among 11 suspects in NIS 80 million fraud probe

An Israel Police officer standing outside the headquarters of Lahav 433 - The National Crime Unit; illustrative.

AI giant Anthropic, developer of Calude AI model, launches IPO filing, reveals $16b. revenue

Anthropic, an AI safety and research company, has dedicated teams to rigorously stress-test their models for potential risks and to design protective safeguards, but these defenses often remain fragile.

Intel agrees to buy Classiq in biggest Israeli acquisition since Mobileye

Water rationing, garbage pile-up raise disease fears in Yemen's besieged Taiz

Workers collect garbage from a street in the southwestern city of Taiz, Yemen, October 20, 2026.

Nepal urges villagers to evacuate after flood triggered by landslide, no casualties, five missing

Earthquake of magnitude 7 strikes China's Tibet, killing 16, Xinhua reports

This view shows a collapsed building and damaged cars after a 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck the country, in Penonome, Panama, on October 9, 2026.

Israeli expat recounts destruction, home collapse in magnitude 7.7 Panama earthquake

Ships by the Eilat port, Red Sea, on January 03, 2024.

Eilat records first rain of year as authorities issue flash flooding warning in Dead Sea region

Machete wielding mob attack health workers responding to Ebola in Congo

Health workers and humanitarian responders on the front lines of the Ebola response gather to receive a vaccination due to their potential exposure to the virus as part of their work with suspected cases  in the North Kivu Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, October 16, 2026.

French patient dies after Shamonda virus detected in human for first time

IDF, Defense Ministry struggle with amount of reservists seeking mental health care, experts say

High Court strikes down petition to end sperm donor anonymity

Nigeria Ebola patient and spouse admitted to hospitals in Switzerland

Former Prisoners of Zion, aliyah activists, discuss plans for new Soviet Jewry heritage center

Alex Silnitsky addresses a gathering of former Prisoners of Zion and aliyah activists at the Heritage Ministry in Jerusalem on October 5.

Lone soldiers, b'not sherut find a true home at the Michael Levin Base

French political turmoil may affect olim with restrictions on transferring money out of country

Immigrants from France are welcomed to Israel at Ben-Gurion Airport in August.

She made aliyah at 16 - today, she's teaching the next generation about AI

AT HEBREW UNIVERSITY.

ANU marks Aliyah Day with a tribute to Jewish dining, memories, traditions

Visitors at the ANU Museum of the Jewish People, in Tel Aviv, on January 19, 2025.

Where the sea meets sophistication

Architecture: Yashar Architects

Make your Jerusalem aliyah dream come true! The Crown in Mekor Chaim 55

WATCH

Selichot above Jerusalem: An evening of music, reflection and connection

Image for illustration purposes only.

In the middle of the triangle

The New Talpiot project.

‘New Talpiot’: A global community in one of Jerusalem’s most sought-after locations

All JPost Conferences   

The Jerusalem Post Diplomatic Conference returns to Jerusalem

Diplomatic Conference

Heading ‘Down Under’: The Jerusalem Post announces Sydney Summit

Sydney, Australia Summit

Past Event - Building tomorrow, today: Jerusalem Post Washington Conference heads to Capitol Hill

Jerusalem Post Washington Conference

Conference   

Bini Zomer, GM for Corporate Affairs & Joint Ventures at Chevron Mediterranean Limited

Chevron’s GM for Corporate Affairs and Joint Ventures at Jpost Diplomatic Conference

“Let's tell the incredible story of this place”

Mekorot’s Shira Singer on the future of water infrastructure

MDA Heroes   

 Michaela Berku: "Doing good is the best therapy."

Michaela Berku on volunteering, MDA, and saving lives through service

MDA Women's Circle launches new year with "Adopt a Paramedic" initiative

'I’ll keep showing up': MDA paramedic who saved dozens on Oct 7 recounts 600 days

Podcasts   

BALLOT PAPERS of various political parties displayed at the Central Elections Committee warehouse in Shoham, Oct. 14.

Israel Election 2026: Pollster Shmuel Rosner says Israelis have already made up their minds

Netanyahu meets with Hegseth days before election as Hanegbi backs Liberman

Trump backs Netanyahu as Liberman slams 'Bibi the puppet'

US Politics   

Hacker attack

Hacker trying to breach US Federal Election Commission system, email shows

Michigan's El-Sayed campaign disavows PAC ad linking US inflation to Israel

Ex-FBI chief Comey faces third prosecution attempt by Trump Justice Department

Diaspora   

American Jews [Illustrative]

American, Israeli Jews report stronger bonds despite challenges of recent years, survey finds

Legendary Jewish actor Walter Koenig, 'Star Trek's' plucky Chekov, dies at 90

Pope Leo meets with AJC delegation, reaffirms condemnation of antisemitism

Judaism   

'The Talmud Chronicles.'

‘Extra, extra!’ New book brings ancient Talmudic texts to life for readers of all ages

Parashat Lech Lecha: Having the courage to stand alone

Parashat Lech Lecha: There is no wisdom like that gained through experience

Christian World   

 Pope Leo XIV speaks as he attends a meeting with the authorities, civil society and the diplomatic corps in Luanda, Angola, April 18, 2026.

Pope Leo had lobe of lung removed as doctors found cancer, Vatican says

Friends of Zion says October 7 broadcast reached 250 million in 176 countries

Christian tourists buy West Bank settlement goods in protest of European trade restrictions

Food   

The main course at Benny Hadayag was a platter with a whole baked sea bass alongside sweet and regular potatoes (NIS 155-165).

'We wanted to keep Shabbat': Benny Hadayag seafood restaurant in Herzliya becomes kosher

Wine talk: From vine to glass

Brewed with barley from Be’eri's fields, a new Israeli beer brings new life after October 7

Archaeology   

A Yarmukian juglet found in a cave in Samaria.

Ancient wildfires in the Levant may have inspired Neolithic pottery-making, Israeli study suggests

Israeli researchers use ancient stone tools to trace hunter-gatherer migrations

Prehistoric hunter-gatherers stayed connected across 200 kilometers, Israeli study finds

Science   

Hula valley's Gesher Benot Ya’aqov.

Using an 800,000-year-old tooth, researchers unlock the secrets of Israel’s ancient elephant haven

Japan launches uncrewed space mission to become first to gather samples from Mars' moon Phobos

Ancient sheep virus traced through DNA preserved in medieval manuscripts

Culture   

GOLAZIN ARDESTANI attends the Haifa festival this week.

Iranian singer Gola brings message of hope to Haifa International Film Festival

Israeli director Erez Tadmor takes ‘Matchmaking 3’ to New York - and reveals its unlikely secret

Not sheepish: Israel Museum reveals a different side of Menashe Kadishman’s art

History   

Oscar Levis, known early in his career as “Chick Levy,” and later as “Oscal,” was celebrated as the premier pitcher in Panama before joining the Cuban Stars and Hilldale Daisies in the Negro Leagues.

The discovery of a Jewish Negro League star forces a rewrite of Jewish baseball history

The forgotten German who saved Jews in Japan - and the diary that resurfaced 80 years later

Saved from Nazi-occupied Prague, thousands of Torah scrolls find new life through a Satmar scribe

OMG   

Actor Selma Blair attends Variety’s 2026 Power of Women: Los Angeles event in Beverly Hills, California, US September 23, 2026.

Actor Selma Blair arrested, accused of abusing flight attendants

Former England soccer star Wayne Rooney says grandma was Polish Jew during Auschwitz visit

'Looksmaxxing' influencer Clavicular charged with rape in Massachusetts amid legal troubles

Travel   

Entrance and lantern tours. Timna Park.

Arava offers 28 attractions for NIS 130 until April: What does it include?

New route launched from Haifa to beloved Greek city

Madrid Bound: Israir launches direct flights to Spain's capital

David Alexander, Deputy CEO of Phoenix Financial

Israel’s hidden strength: Institutional capital pools

Israel can no longer afford the privileges of adolescent behavior

Evolving regional economic opportunities

JPost Store   

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