Israel sees fastest early election turnout since 1977 as Netanyahu fights for political survival
Israeli voters turned out at the fastest pace in nearly half a century on Tuesday, October 27, in a closely contested parliamentary election that could end Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's latest term in office, Reuters reported.
The Central Elections Committee said 31.5% of eligible voters had cast their ballots within the first five hours of voting — the highest turnout at that stage since Israel's landmark 1977 election, which first brought the country's right wing to power.
The vote is Israel's first parliamentary election since the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023, and the subsequent wars in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran.
Netanyahu faces a challenge from Gadi Eisenkot, a former Israeli military chief who served in the prime minister's wartime cabinet before resigning over disagreements with his leadership.
Eisenkot and other opposition figures have called for accountability over the security failures surrounding the October 7 attacks. Netanyahu has defended his record and campaigned with the backing of US President Donald Trump.
Neither side is expected to have an easy path to forming a government.
Israel's 120-seat parliament, the Knesset, is elected through proportional representation, and a governing coalition needs the support of at least 61 lawmakers.
Netanyahu urged his supporters to vote, warning that turnout was high among his political opponents and Arab Israeli voters.
Polling stations are scheduled to close at 10 p.m. local time. If neither Netanyahu nor Eisenkot can assemble a coalition, Netanyahu could remain caretaker prime minister until another election is held.