Liberman's Yisrael Beytenu poised for Knesset expansion in exit polls
Channel 12 and KAN project the party will win eight seats, while Channel 13 estimates seven, a gain from its current six-seat bloc.
By David Almasi ·
Exit polls released on the evening of October 27 indicate that Yisrael Beytenu, led by Avigdor Liberman, will secure between seven and eight seats in the upcoming Knesset. Channel 12 and KAN both projected eight seats for the party, while Channel 13 estimated seven. The party currently holds six seats in the 25th Knesset. These preliminary figures suggest a modest increase in parliamentary representation for Liberman's faction.
Throughout the day, Liberman campaigned against the ruling coalition led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He described the current administration as the government responsible for the events of October 7, 2023. On X, he urged voters to cast their ballots to remove what he called the government of the October 7 massacre and draft dodgers. He also promised that public transportation would operate on Shabbat following the election.
Polling stations closed at 10:00 p.m. after a day characterized by high morning turnout and afternoon rain. The Central Election Committee denied a request from the Likud party to extend voting hours. The 26th Knesset election results will depend on the official vote count, though the exit polls provide an early snapshot of the seat distribution.
Yisrael Beytenu has consistently polled between seven and ten seats since August 2026. The party has evolved from a base primarily composed of immigrants from the former Soviet Union in the early 2000s to a broader coalition of supporters. Tzachi Hanegbi, former National Security Council head and longtime Likud politician, announced on October 20 that he would vote for Liberman in this election.
In early October, reports indicated that Liberman suggested handing over Palestinian areas to Jordan. He criticized Netanyahu for fearmongering regarding Iran in the lead-up to the election. Liberman has stated he will not rely on Arab parties to form a coalition and warned that the United States may recognize a Palestinian state in coming years.
Liberman founded Yisrael Beytenu in 1999 after resigning as Director-General of the Prime Minister's Office over concerns about concessions to Palestinians. He previously served as a Likud activist and minister. His party peaked at 15 seats in 2009. He served as Minister of Defense from 2016 to 2018 before resigning over what he viewed as appeasement of Hamas.
Afternoon reports on election day suggested that high turnout among Arab voters might boost the seat share of Ra’am and the Joint List. This shift could have threatened Yisrael Beytenu's ability to cross the 3.25 percent threshold required for Knesset entry. The final outcome of the coalition negotiations will hinge on the official count.
