Polls opened across Israel on Tuesday for the nation's first general election since the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023. Approximately 7.33 million Israelis are eligible to cast ballots at 12,018 regular polling stations nationwide, with voting continuing until 10 p.m. Some stations will operate on shorter schedules.
This election for the 26th Knesset is occurring under the shadow of the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks. The Central Elections Committee reported an increase of 543,177 eligible voters since the previous election four years ago, with some 330,000 young Israelis voting for the first time.
"This is a celebration of Israeli democracy," said Dean Livne, the committee's acting director-general, adding that thousands of employees worked to ensure voters could cast ballots without fear. The committee also issued a warning about potential misinformation online, urging the public to verify sources before sharing.
Election Day is a national holiday in Israel, with most businesses and schools closed. Voters select party lists, and a party must secure at least 3.25% of valid votes to enter the Knesset. Military voting began on October 21 at bases across operational areas, including Gaza and Lebanon, with over 850 polling stations deployed. Israeli diplomats and their families abroad also began voting on October 15.
President Isaac Herzog called on citizens to vote, stating, "Election day is a celebration of Israeli democracy. This is the people’s day." He emphasized that citizens from all backgrounds, regardless of their views on Israel's future, have an equal vote.
Israel's parliamentary system is based on proportional representation, where 120 Knesset seats are allocated proportionally to the votes each party receives. As no single party has historically won a majority, governments are formed through coalitions. If a party fails to meet the 3.25% threshold, its votes are discarded.
The president designates the Knesset member deemed most capable of forming a coalition to become prime minister. This designated member must then secure the Knesset's approval for their proposed government. The prime minister must hold a Knesset seat during their term.