Israel's Tight Election Race Highlights Divisions on Security and Palestinian Future

Israel is currently navigating a closely contested election with incumbent Prime Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a tight race against Gadi Eisenkot, a former head of the Israel Defense Forces and a political newcomer. The election's results are anticipated to have profound implications for the country's security policies and its relationship with the Palestinians.

Eisenkot, who leads the Yashar Party, has gained traction partly due to his military background and his relatively recent entry into politics. He served in Israel's war cabinet under Netanyahu until his resignation in 2024, citing disagreements over the ongoing conflict. His campaign has focused on demanding accountability for the security failures that preceded the October 7th attacks.

Other opposition figures, including former Prime Ministers Naftali Bennett and Avigdor Lieberman, are also in contention. These politicians, generally aligned on the right with hardline security stances and support for permanent Israeli control over parts of the West Bank, could potentially align with Eisenkot to form a governing coalition. Yair Golan, a left-wing leader advocating for Israeli withdrawal from significant portions of the territory, also presents an alternative.

Netanyahu's current government is noted as the most right-wing in Israel's history. His ability to remain in power may depend on the continued support of his far-right coalition partners, some of whom hold ultra-nationalist views, including proposals for annexing the West Bank and the "migration" of Palestinians from Gaza, which critics liken to forced displacement. Some members of Netanyahu's own Likud party have echoed calls for Palestinian "migration" from the territory.

Adding another dimension to the political landscape are two Arab party blocs. Approximately one-fifth of Israel's population is Arab, and many identify as Palestinian citizens of Israel. While theoretically capable of playing a kingmaker role, most leading Jewish parties have stated they will not collaborate with them.

The election unfolds against a backdrop of ongoing conflict and settlement expansion. Israel continues to conduct strikes in Gaza, stating its targets are Hamas operatives, and maintains control over more than half of the territory. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, over 74,000 people have been killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023. In the West Bank, settler attacks have reached an all-time high, and Israeli settlements, deemed illegal under international law, are rapidly expanding.

On the issue of Gaza, both Netanyahu and Eisenkot's camps appear to share similar positions, including support for a peace plan proposed by Donald Trump that would involve Hamas disarming in exchange for a phased Israeli troop withdrawal. Eisenkot has committed to ending Hamas rule within 18 months, potentially through military action.

Regarding the West Bank, Netanyahu's faction generally favors continued settlement expansion. Eisenkot, while supportive of Israeli settlements in principle, opposes the controversial E1 settlement project that would divide the West Bank. He has also indicated a desire to dismantle unauthorized settler outposts on Palestinian land, foster conditions for a peace settlement, and take action against extremist Jewish settlers.

The traditional advocacy for a two-state solution—the establishment of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel—has seen declining support. In the current electoral cycle, none of the leading Jewish parties are campaigning on this platform, and many have explicitly rejected it.