Israel: opposition supporters celebrate narrow lead in exit polls

Loading the video No Comment Video. Israel: opposition supporters celebrate narrow lead in exit polls Copy/paste the link below: Copy/paste the article video embed link below: Updated: 28 October 2026 - 0:31 GMT+1 Supporters of Gadi Eisenkot celebrated in Tel Aviv as exit polls gave Israel's opposition bloc a narrow lead over Benjamin Netanyahu's camp, but no outright parliamentary majority. As the projections appeared on giant screens, Eisenkot’s supporters broke into chants of “Bibi, go home!” and “Who’s coming? The next prime minister!” ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT The polls put the anti-Netanyahu bloc on 52–53 seats against about 50 for the prime minister’s allies, leaving both short of the 61 needed for a majority in the 120-seat Knesset. Likud remains the largest single party with 24–25 seats, while Yashar is projected second on 21–23. Eisenkot declared victory and said the results gave him the first right to form a government. Elsewhere in Tel Aviv, activists from the Pink Front gathered at Habima Square, waving their trademark pink heart flags, wading into the reflecting pool and toasting with sparkling wine as the first results came in. Among those at the Yashar rally was Ohad Ben Ami, a former hostage held by Hamas and an honorary candidate on the party’s list, who criticised the government’s handling of negotiations and argued that the captives had been abandoned. The projections remain preliminary, and weeks of coalition negotiations are expected before a prime minister is confirmed. Israel Parliamentary elections election polls Opposition Benjamin Netanyahu Knesset Top stories Now playing Next Israel: opposition supporters celebrate narrow lead in exit polls Now playing Next Portugal: Lisbon housing crisis sparks protest outside parliament Now playing Next South Africa: Athlete traverses 600 monkey bars under a 216-metre bridge Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | October 27th, 2026 – Evening Now playing Next Exit polls suggest no clear victor in Israeli election Now playing Next Qatar urges Iran to 'show goodwill', stop threats and reopen Hormuz Now playing Next Flávio Bolsonaro reportedly leaves Brazil for US after election defeat Now playing Next 2.92-metre monster fish: German angler lands giant catfish from Polish reservoir Now playing Next EU to give Frontex new powers to deport migrants from outside Europe Now playing Next Trump calls Norway a ‘shithouse country’ over Nobel Peace Prize snub Now playing Next Too close to call: Israelis vote in Netanyahu-Eisenkot showdown Now playing Next Ceasefire begins in Russian-occupied Oleshky as strikes hit Kyiv Now playing Next Myanmar: spectacular lantern festival lights up ancient temples in Bagan Now playing Next Two men charged over RAF Fairford air base incident, with one accused of assisting foreign intelligence Now playing Next 'Unacceptable violation': Syria condemns Jordan airstrikes Now playing Next Finland's puppy livestream grips millions worldwide ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT No Comment Turkey: tornado kills at least four workers at Antalya construction site No Comment Ukraine: firefighters battle flames and rescue dog from Kyiv ruins No Comment Israel: October 7 families remember victims as voters head to polls No Comment France: crowds fill Marseille's Old Port in anti-racism protest Silk Road Adventures Tashkent modernism enters the UNESCO World Heritage List Europe News Poland signs three-year defence cooperation plan with UK Culture news Eurovision in crisis: Netherlands make U-turn and pull out of Eurovision 2027 Sport Football: Mbappé apologises for 'ill-judged' joke about China's Mao Zedong that led several brands to drop him Culture news To the moon and beyond: Astronauts Chris Hadfield and Victor Glover on why the 'New Space race matters EU News Finnish and Norwegian leaders call Putin, urge restart of peace talks Destinations From Baku’s waterfront to the Greater Caucasus: a new winter destination within reach Europe Today Win or lose, Netanyahu could remain in power for months after Israeli election as Iran tensions loom ADVERTISEMENT Israel Israelis head to polls in first general election since 7 October attacks with no clear favourite World News Trump calls Norway a ‘shithouse country’ over Nobel Peace Prize snub Europe News Harry Kane is first Bundesliga player since Matthias Sammer to win Ballon d'Or Art Scientists uncover new clues to the actual night sky behind Van Gogh’s The Starry Night Europe Today Europe Today: Israel votes on Netanyahu's future as Orbán is floated for UN chief EU News Ukraine's €70 billion shortfall could make or break the next EU budget Ukraine US-brokered ceasefire begins in Russian-occupied Oleshky as strikes hit Kyiv Europe News Turkey-Libya maritime boundaries deal 'remains null and void,' Greek foreign minister says ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT