Israel’s opposition leader, Gadi Eisenkot, has declared that Benjamin Netanyahu’s political career should end after a closely contested election, urging the prime minister to step aside and respect voters’ demand for change.
Eisenkot made the remarks early Wednesday at the headquarters of his Yashar party in Tel Aviv. He said he would work with political partners to form a government that represents different sections of Israeli society.
Although the final results remained pending, Eisenkot argued that the election had weakened Netanyahu’s position. He said the country needed a new direction and warned against holding another election.
“It would be a mistake to hold another election, and it is my duty to do everything possible to carry out the will of the people,” he said.
However, exit polls showed a close contest between the rival political blocs, with neither side projected to secure the 61 seats required for a parliamentary majority. 【turn414489search14】
Netanyahu’s Political Future Sparks Warning From Eisenkot
Eisenkot directly challenged Netanyahu over the use of national security issues for political purposes.
“Do not dare use Israel’s security for your political needs,” he told the prime minister.
He also addressed Israel’s security chiefs, reminding them that Netanyahu was leading a caretaker government. Eisenkot urged them to put the interests of Israeli citizens first and resist any political pressure.
He pledged to support officials who remained committed to their public responsibilities.
The opposition leader also promised to end what he described as an era of political division and incitement. He said his proposed government would focus on national unity and military conscription.
Eisenkot’s comments reflected his determination to challenge Netanyahu’s continued leadership, although the election projections had not established which political camp could form the next government.
Exit Polls Show Closely Contested Israeli Election
Figures released by Israeli television networks offered different projections of the election outcome.
An updated Channel 13 exit poll put Netanyahu’s bloc and the opposition bloc led by Eisenkot on 51 seats each. Arab parties were projected to hold 18 seats in the 120-member Knesset.
An earlier Channel 12 projection gave Eisenkot’s bloc 52 seats, Netanyahu’s bloc 50 and Arab parties 18.
Neither projection gave either main bloc the 61 seats needed to govern with a parliamentary majority. The figures were estimates rather than official results. 【turn414489search14】
The close projections left the political situation unresolved, with coalition negotiations expected to play an important role in determining the next government.
Reports also indicated that President Isaac Herzog would consider the official results and recommendations from parliamentary parties before deciding whom to ask to form a government.
Voter Turnout Reaches Highest Level Since 1999
The election recorded a turnout of 77.7 per cent, according to the Central Elections Committee. The figure represented an increase of 7.1 percentage points compared with the 2022 election.
It was also the highest turnout recorded since 1999.
Vote counting began after polling stations closed at 10pm local time on Tuesday. Authorities expected to announce the official results on November 4.
Until the final figures emerge, Eisenkot’s declaration that Netanyahu’s political career is over remains his assessment of the election rather than an established outcome.
The election projections and subsequent coalition negotiations will determine whether the opposition can assemble enough parliamentary support to form a government.