Election leaves Israel’s political future uncertain, but Netanyahu still clearly controls its present

On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his rival Gadi Eisenkot each pledged to form a government despite both falling short in the initial elections following the October 7 events. Voters participated in the highest numbers in decades, demonstrating discontent with Netanyahu's rule and his push for a more right-wing Israel.

Exit polls indicated a tight race between Eisenkot's opposition bloc and Netanyahu's hard-right camp, neither of which secured a majority in parliament. The election saw significant support for Arab Israeli parties, who had a strong turnout against Netanyahu's policies. Netanyahu called for a "strong government of the right" and suggested a potential third bombing campaign against Iran, while Eisenkot warned against using Israel's security for political benefits.

Both leaders vowed to work on forming a government, with Eisenkot emphasizing the need for change and an end to extremism in the West Bank. Despite their differences, some Israeli Arab leaders expressed openness to forming a government with Eisenkot, though Netanyahu remained skeptical about the legitimacy of a government reliant on Arab votes.

The election's results highlight Israel's isolation on the global stage, driven by ongoing conflicts and political turmoil at home.