Israeli exit polls show huge Palestinian gains block Netanyahu from forming government

Israeli exit polls have indicated a significant surge in voting from Palestinian citizens of Israel, which has blocked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from forming a government. According to the polls, Netanyahu's bloc is projected to win 50 seats, while the opposition is set to gain 53 seats. This outcome falls short of the 61-seat majority needed to form a government.

The Joint List and Ra'am, two parties representing Palestinian citizens, are projected to secure 17 seats, marking a record number of Arab MPs in Israel's parliament, the Knesset. The high turnout in this first election since the Gaza genocide and various Israeli wars since October 7 can be attributed to Palestinian citizens' response to the deteriorating situation.

Despite the three main broadcasters providing differing projections, it is clear that Palestinian citizens have significantly upended the election and prevented Netanyahu and his Jewish supremacist allies from forming a government. The opposition bloc led by Gabi Eisenkot, however, appears unable to form a coalition without the participation of Palestinian parties.

Netanyahu remains the prime minister as a period of coalition-building negotiations commences. His Likud party is projected to be the largest in the Knesset, traditionally allowing the president to offer him the first attempt at forming a government.