Parliamentary elections are scheduled to take place in Israel on the 27th of October. These will be the first elections since the 2023 attack by the terrorist group Hamas and the subsequent wars in the Gaza Strip and Iran, as well as the conflict with the Houthis and the group Hezbollah, reports the BBC.Many consider these to be the most significant elections in Israel’s history—ones that will have an impact on the entire world. Current polls indicate that incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a fierce challenge from Gadi Eisenkot, the former chief of the Israel Defense Forces.Eisenkot’s popularity stems in part from his military background and his relatively recent entry into politics; he founded his own party only last year. Eisenkot’s son was killed in Gaza during the early months of the war, and Eisenkot himself served on Israel’s war cabinet until 2024, when he resigned due to disagreements regarding the conflict. His campaign is built on calls to hold those responsible for the errors that led to the October 7, 2023, attack accountable.Other opposition leaders include Avigdor Liberman and former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. Both are representatives of the right wing who take a firm stance on security and advocate for continued Israeli control over the occupied West Bank. Another prominent figure is Yair Golan, from the political left, who, by contrast, advocates for an Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank. Despite these differing views, he could potentially form a government together with Eisenkot.Netanyahu’s current government is the most radically right-wing in Israel’s history. To remain in office, he will have to rely on some of his existing far-right partners. Some hold radically nationalist views—for instance, calling for the annexation of the West Bank and the removal of Palestinians from Gaza, a move tantamount to the forced displacement of a population.Two Arab parties are also running in the election (Arabs make up approximately one-fifth of Israel’s population). In theory, these parties could play a decisive role in determining who forms the government. At the same time, only one of the major Jewish parties has not ruled out the possibility of cooperating with the Arab parties.The Israeli parliament has 120 seats, meaning a party must secure at least 61 to hold a majority. Israel uses a proportional representation voting system, which means that governments are always coalitions of multiple parties. Consequently, it can take several weeks or even months after an election for a new government to be formed.Security is the primary issue during the election period. Netanyahu’s rivals have sharply criticized the failures that led to the Hamas attack, in which nearly 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage to Gaza. Nevertheless, Netanyahu has continued to portray himself as “Mr. Security,” pointing to several strategic victories achieved since 2023.Military service has also become a subject of intense debate. Historically, ultra-Orthodox Jewish men engaged in full-time religious study were exempt from conscription. However, since the start of the war, this policy has become highly controversial.The reform of the judicial system has also been widely discussed. Netanyahu’s government continues to push for sweeping reforms—measures that had already sparked widespread protests even before the Hamas attack in 2023. Critics argue that the planned reforms would undermine the independence of the judiciary and threaten democracy. As in many other parts of the world, the cost of living is also on the agenda.On the evening of election day, at 10:00 PM local time, Israeli broadcasters will announce the results of exit polls. While these will provide some insight into the voting outcome, the picture remains unclear, and current polls suggest that predicting a winner is difficult. Initial results are expected on October 28, while the official results are scheduled to be announced on the 4th of November.Following consultations with party leaders, Israeli President Isaac Herzog will invite one of them to form a government. This process can be lengthy and may even prove unsuccessful. If the party leaders are unable to form a government, fresh elections are held. Between 2019 and 2022, elections took place five times in Israel because the parties were unable to reach an agreement.
Elections in Israel: candidates and issues
