Israeli opposition declares Netanyahu finished as exit polls spark brawl Gadi Eisenkot has called on Netanyahu to retire, Netanyahu's bloc is ahead in the exit polls, but neither camp has reached the majority needed to form a government. Eisenkot has warned Netanyahu not to exploit Israel's security for his own gain. Israeli opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot has called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to retire from politics, despite updated television exit polls showing Netanyahu's bloc edging ahead in a tightening contest. Eisenkot Warns Netanyahu To RetireEisenkot, who is also the former army chief of staff, declared that Israelis voted for change and pledged to form a broad governing coalition. Addressing the prime minister directly, he warned: 'Do not dare use Israel's security for your political needs'. Netanyahu delivered a concise address vowing to build an administration anchored exclusively on the right, while refraining from declaring an outright victory.Voter turnout reached 77.7 percent-the highest recorded since 1999 and up 7.1 percentage points from 2022, according to the Central Elections Committee. Neither Netanyahu's bloc nor Eisenkot's opposition bloc has reached the 61 seats required for an outright majority in the 120-seat Knesset. The revisions completely erased an initial lead for Eisenkot's camp, which opening projections had placed at 53 seats against 50 for Netanyahu's bloc.Netanyahu Bloc Leads In Seat TallyNetanyahu's right-wing bloc has taken the lead with 52 seats against 49 seats for Eisenkot's opposition bloc. The outcome has sparked a brawl as the opposition declared Netanyahu finished.