The bloc map is shifting: according to the partial count released this morning (Wednesday), after counting approximately 2.7 million votes representing 48.43% of all ballots cast, Netanyahu's bloc stands at 55 seats while Eisenkot's bloc holds 50 seats, with the Arab parties at 15 seats.
The figures mark a significant reversal from the exit polls published last night at the close of voting, which showed Eisenkot's bloc leading Netanyahu's. The numbers are still expected to shift as the count continues.
According to the partial count, Likud leads with 27 seats. Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party stands at 22 seats. The Joint List holds 11 seats, and Naftali Bennett's Yachad party also stands at 11 seats.
Among the chareidi parties, United Torah Judaism currently has 8 seats, and Shas stands at 7 seats.
Yair Golan's Democrats have 9 seats, Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu 8 seats, Itamar Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit 7 seats, and Religious Zionism-Zehut 6 seats. Ra'am records 4 seats.
In a speech delivered last night from Tel Aviv, Yashar chairman Gadi Eisenkot declared victory despite the exit polls giving Netanyahu the lead. "We made history! The public decided in favor of change. The default coalition has lost the people's trust," Eisenkot claimed. According to him, "Netanyahu finds himself tonight facing a larger and stronger Zionist-national majority."
Eisenkot added that "in an election with such high turnout, it would be a mistake to go to another round of elections. It is our duty and my personal duty to do everything to honor the will of the people." He declared: "I and the Yashar slate intend to represent all Israelis. I will work, together with my partners for change, to ensure that the people's decision and will are realized in the formation of a stable Zionist government that is good for all Israeli citizens."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, delivered an official speech last night at Binyenei Ha'uma, declaring: "Unequivocally, Likud is the largest party in Israel. There is no dispute about that." Netanyahu added that "the second thing that has become clear is that the right-wing bloc has a clear and decisive majority among the Jewish public and all those who support the Jewish state."
"I said and I repeat, we must form a strong national right-wing government," Netanyahu stated. "We must not endanger Israel and form a government that relies on anti-Zionist parties. How do you speak of a covenant of those who serve when you join hands with those who serve the enemies of the state?"
In the chareidi parties, despite the decline in the exit polls, words of praise were heard last night about the parties' achievements. MK Yaakov Asher declared at United Torah Judaism's victory gathering in Bnei Brak: "The Torah won. Everyone eulogized us, attacked us and tried to do many things to us and did not succeed. This is a great victory for us." However, he clarified that at this stage he would not address the bloc map until the final seat distribution is determined.
Outgoing Degel HaTorah chairman MK Moshe Gafni addressed the attacks against the chareidi public and admitted he feared the election results. "We heard the incitement against those who learn Torah and chareidi education. The High Court and the Attorney General and others spoke against us. I was worried about what would happen in the elections. I was afraid of the results," he said.
The Arab parties are recording the greatest achievement in the election campaign. Turnout in the Arab sector stood at approximately 80% — a number significantly higher than that recorded in previous campaigns. Yosef Jabareen, chairman of the Joint List, said after the exit poll results: "We continue the campaign to send the extreme right-wing government, Netanyahu, Ben-Gvir and Smotrich home."
The partial count is expected to continue throughout the day, with final results expected to become clear only Friday morning, after counting the double envelopes that could change the balance.
