The Democrats were projected to win nine seats, according to data published by the Central Election Committee on Wednesday.
The projections would give the party nine seats in the 120-member Knesset, up from four in the outgoing parliament.
The results could significantly affect coalition negotiations and the next government’s ability to secure a parliamentary majority. However, exit polls are preliminary projections, and the final distribution of seats will depend on the official vote count and the allocation of Knesset seats.
What does Yair Golan’s Democrats stand for?
The Democrats, led by former deputy IDF chief of staff Yair Golan, entered election night projected to secure between eight and ten seats in the 26th Knesset, according to final pre-election polling published ahead of the vote.
Final surveys broadcast by Channel 12, as well as polls by Maariv and The Jerusalem Post, all projected 10 seats for Golan’s slate. Channel 11 and 13 both projected the Democrats to win 9 seats.
Throughout the campaign, Golan positioned the party around a platform of “fundamental change.” A key component of its agenda focused on what it alleged was safeguarding Israeli democracy, with Golan promising legislation to bar politicians under criminal indictment from serving as prime minister or cabinet ministers, while fully backing the judiciary and Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara against government attempts to undermine them.
Democrats party chairman Yair Golan casts his vote at a polling station in Rosh HaAyin, central Israel, during Israel’s general elections, October 27, 2026. (credit: REUVEN SCHWARTZ/FLASH90)
On domestic policy, the party advocated for the separation of religion and state, including the introduction of civil marriage and protecting the right of businesses to operate on Shabbat. The Democrats also targeted National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir over his handling of the rising crime wave in Arab communities and voiced firm opposition to military draft exemptions for Haredi men.
Golan’s Democrats oppose West Bank annexation, back demilitarized Palestinian state
On security and diplomacy, Golan rejected Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s strategy of repeated military rounds in favor of pursuing a broader regional accord that would divide the land and establish a demilitarized Palestinian state. The party platform explicitly opposed West Bank annexation, called for a complete halt to state funding for illegal outposts, and pledged to strip Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich of his civil administration powers in the West Bank to return authoritative control to the IDF.
Golan ruled out joining any coalition led by Benjamin Netanyahu or sitting alongside Smotrich, Ben-Gvir, or the ultra-Orthodox parties. However, unlike other opposition leaders, Golan openly backed sitting with Arab parties, such as Ra’am, in a future governing coalition, describing their participation as a natural and necessary component of Israeli democracy.
Formed in July 2024 through a merger of the Labor Party and Meretz, The Democrats was established as a unified liberal-democratic Zionist framework to consolidate the Israeli left and prevent a repeat of the 2022 election, when splintered left-wing votes left Meretz below the 3.25% electoral threshold. The party selected its primary slate in July, placing incumbent lawmakers Naama Lazimi, Gilad Kariv, and Efrat Rayten behind Golan.
Democrats chairman reacts to exit polls
Democrats party chairman Maj.-Gen. (res.) Yair Golan declared that the Israeli public had “fired Netanyahu and the Likud” on Tuesday night, as he urged opposition leaders to form a new government as quickly as possible.
Speaking at the party’s election-night event, Golan said voters had rejected a government of “draft evasion, corruption, and extreme nationalism,” adding that Israel’s security was at stake and delays in forming a government could have serious consequences.
“From tonight, Israel can breathe. Starting tomorrow, we begin rebuilding,” he said.
Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.