Israelis cast ballots in bid to form 38th government

Voting opened at 7 a.m. local time on Tuesday, with polls scheduled to close at 10 p.m.

Israelis are selecting the next 120 members of the Knesset in the first parliamentary election since the attacks of October 7, 2023. A total of 36 electoral lists are competing for the seats. The outcome will determine the country's 38th government.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began his current term in December 2022. His coalition of right-wing, far-right, and ultra-Orthodox parties has served for four years, a full term not achieved by a government since 1988. Netanyahu has served as prime minister for more than 19 years across three stints. He first held the office from 1996 to 1999, then from 2009 to 2021, and finally from December 2022 onward.

Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief, leads the opposition Yashar party. Polls place his party ahead of Netanyahu's Likud party. However, projections indicate neither camp will secure the 61 seats needed for a majority on its own. Netanyahu's bloc is projected to win approximately 50 seats.

Palestinian-led parties are expected to win between 14 and 16 seats in total. Both major camps have ruled out including these parties in a governing coalition. Palestinian citizens make up about 18 percent of eligible voters, or roughly 1.17 million people. Pollsters estimate turnout among this group could reach 60 to 70 percent, up from 53 percent in 2022. High early turnout was reported in Palestinian-majority towns on Tuesday, according to the Arab48 news outlet.

Israeli television channels will broadcast exit polls when voting ends. Unofficial results are expected overnight. The full count is scheduled for October 30, and official results are due on November 4.