Tel Aviv and Jerusalem brace for long count after record Israeli turnout

Israeli voters packed polling stations across the country on Tuesday, producing the highest turnout in 27 years. The Central Elections Committee reported that 77.7% of eligible citizens had cast ballots by 10 p.m. local time. That number marks the highest participation rate recorded since 1999. The surge in voting came as Israelis decided whether to keep Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or switch to his rival, Gadi Eisenkot.

Exit polls released after voting closed showed a tight contest. Netanyahu’s Likud Party appeared to lead in the number of seats won, with Eisenkot’s Yashar Party trailing in second place. No single party secured a majority in the 120-seat Knesset. This means the final outcome depends on post-election negotiations. Leaders of various parties must now assemble a governing coalition to name the next prime minister. The process can take days or weeks.

The election is viewed by many as the most consequential in recent Israeli history. It is the first parliamentary vote since the October 2023 attack by Hamas and the start of subsequent wars in Gaza and the region. Voters expressed strong emotions about the direction of the country. Naama Aaronsohn, a voter, described the stakes as more than important. She said, "It's crucial.. I'm worried.. What's going to become of our country if there's not a major change?" Itamar Ariel, who voted for Netanyahu, cited security concerns. He stated that despite problems in Israel, he believes Netanyahu is irreplaceable for the nation's defense.

Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief of staff, addressed supporters at a party in Tel Aviv. He declared that the public had voted for change. However, he acknowledged that the counting process continues. Ophelie Namiech, an opposition supporter, noted the complexity of the early results. She said, "I'm anxious.. the results are good, but they're complex. It takes time before we have a full picture." Shira Efron, a policy analyst at the Rand Corp., called the preliminary results a very good outcome for Eisenkot and his newly formed party.

In Jerusalem, Netanyahu’s supporters gathered at the Likud election night party. Large screens displayed videos of military operations, including airstrikes and scenes from Lebanon. The footage also featured President Trump shaking hands with Netanyahu. Trump has urged Israeli voters to reelect Netanyahu to finish the work started by the two leaders. Elie Pieprz, a Netanyahu supporter, expressed confidence in the Prime Minister’s ability to withstand initial polling data. He pointed to Netanyahu’s history of surviving tough political moments. Pieprz believes voters will value unity during the ongoing war against Iran, particularly with the support of the United States.

Citizens in majority-Arab areas also participated heavily in the election. Nur Abu Na, a 30-year-old nurse, said the current government is not good for her community. She noted that two predominantly Arab blocs are part of the election. Netanyahu posted on social media throughout the day to alert his right-wing base about the high number of Arab citizens voting. He urged his supporters to turn out in large numbers to counter that turnout. The final vote tallies will be calculated on Wednesday, and the electoral map may shift as late votes are counted.

The race remains uncertain as parties begin the difficult task of coalition building. Eisenkot’s bloc faces potential challenges in negotiations if he is chosen to form a government. Netanyahu’s camp holds out hope that his long experience and current geopolitical alliances will secure him the necessary support. The next prime minister will lead Israel through a period of war and strained international relations. The public support for Israel in the United States has dropped, a fact that worries many voters who participated in Tuesday’s historic turnout.