Israel Heads to Polls Amid Tensions Over Netanyahu's Leadership Post-Oct. 7
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a tight election race, with voters grappling with the fallout from the Oct. 7 attacks and the ongoing regional conflicts.
Israelis are heading to the polls on Tuesday for the sixth election in eight years, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership on the line following the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks. The surprise assault left 1,200 people dead and 251 taken hostage, triggering the Gaza war, conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon, and a global rise in anti-Israel sentiment.
Netanyahu, the longest-serving prime minister in Israeli history, is seeking to retain power amid widespread criticism regarding his government's preparedness for the Oct. 7 attacks. Critics advocate for an inquiry commission to examine the alleged failures, while Netanyahu's supporters point to his handling of the subsequent regional conflicts as a reason to keep him in office. He has positioned himself as the strongest leader to protect Israel during these turbulent times and maintain its close relationship with the United States.
Key Contenders and Issues
The primary contest is between Netanyahu's Likud bloc and the opposition coalition led by former Israel Defense Forces chief Gadi Eisenkot, heading the centrist Yashar! party. Eisenkot's alliance includes the Together coalition (led by former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid), Avigdor Liberman's Yisrael Beiteinu, and Yair Golan's Democrats. Eisenkot has expressed skepticism about Israel's dependence on the U.S., advocating for self-reliance, a stance that has concerned some voters who prioritize a strong alliance with the current U.S. administration.
Polls suggest Netanyahu's coalition may trail, with projections indicating the opposition bloc could secure a majority in the Knesset, Israel's parliament. If neither bloc reaches the 61-seat threshold required for a majority, smaller parties, including Arab-Israeli parties like the Joint List and Ra'am, could play a pivotal role in forming a government.
Electoral System and Challenges
Israel employs a parliamentary system where citizens vote for party lists, and seats in the 120-seat Knesset are allocated based on the national vote share. A party needs at least 3.25% of the national vote to gain representation. Both Netanyahu's Likud and Eisenkot's Yashar! have formed alliances with other parties to secure a majority.
Key issues dominating the election include the demand for an Oct. 7 inquiry commission, which Netanyahu's government has opposed. The ongoing conscription of ultra-Orthodox men, who often receive exemptions for full-time religious study while reservists serve, is another contentious point. Netanyahu's past support for these exemptions to maintain his coalition is being challenged by the opposition.
Judicial reform, specifically Netanyahu's efforts to curb the Supreme Court's power, also remains a significant concern for voters worried about its impact on Israeli democracy.
Election Timeline
Exit polls are expected by Tuesday afternoon, providing an early indication of the results. Preliminary results are anticipated the following day, with official results due by November 4. The formation of a governing coalition could take several weeks, with the president tasked with selecting a candidate deemed most likely to gain Knesset support.
Many undecided voters, like 39-year-old Yael Sherby-Hurwitz, hope that the next government can foster unity. "I hope that somebody else can come and pick up the pieces and unite us and unite the Jewish people," she stated.