Israel votes on Tuesday, October 27, in an election that could reshape the country's political future. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces his toughest electoral battle in years, with public anger over security failures, prolonged wars and growing international isolation threatening his grip on power.
The election comes three years after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks that killed around 1,200 people and triggered Israel's devastating military offensive in Gaza. Subsequent confrontations with Iran, escalating tensions in the occupied West Bank and disputes over democratic institutions have further divided Israeli society.
The contest centres on two prominent political figures:
Benjamin Netanyahu: Israel's longest-serving prime minister, seeking another mandate with US President Donald Trump's backing.
Gadi Eisenkot: Former Israeli military chief and leader of the Yashar party, whose name means 'Honesty'.
Personal stakes: Netanyahu remains on trial over corruption allegations, which he denies.
Political contrast: Eisenkot promises accountability and institutional reform, while Netanyahu projects himself as Israel's most experienced security leader.
Eisenkot's son and two nephews were killed during the Gaza conflict, adding a deeply personal dimension to his campaign.
National security dominates the election, but economic and domestic concerns have become increasingly important.
October 7 failures: Opposition parties demand an independent inquiry into the intelligence and security lapses behind the Hamas attacks.
Regional conflicts: Prolonged military operations in Gaza and confrontations with Iran have increased security concerns.
Cost of living: Rising household expenses and the economic burden of war are troubling voters.
Judicial independence: Netanyahu's attempts to reshape the judiciary have raised concerns about democratic institutions.
Military conscription: Exemptions for ultra-Orthodox Jewish men have become increasingly controversial.
International isolation: Settlement expansion and the Gaza war have strained Israel's diplomatic relationships.
Brain drain: Political instability and security concerns are encouraging some skilled professionals to consider leaving Israel.
Pre-election surveys indicate that Netanyahu's coalition could lose its parliamentary majority. However, his opponents are far from certain of forming a government.
Eisenkot's Yashar has led Likud in several opinion polls.
Anti-Netanyahu parties could collectively secure more seats than his allies.
Opposition parties remain divided over cooperation with Palestinian political parties.
Smaller right-wing parties could determine the balance of power.
The possibility of another political deadlock remains high.
Israel's parliament, the Knesset, has 120 seats. Governments are formed through coalitions because no party has secured an outright majority.
The important numbers are:
120 seats: Total membership of the Knesset.
61 seats: Minimum required for a parliamentary majority.
3.25%: Minimum national vote share for a party to enter parliament.
Four seats: Approximate minimum representation for a party crossing the threshold.
Smaller parties such as Amcha Yisrael and The Reservists could become kingmakers.
Voting rights remain a contentious issue in territories under Israeli control.
More than 500,000 Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank can vote.
Around 3.1 million Palestinians living in the West Bank cannot participate in Israeli national elections.
Most Palestinians in occupied East Jerusalem lack voting rights in national elections.
Around two million Palestinians in Gaza are also excluded.
The result could influence Israel's relations with the US, its regional security strategy and the prospects for ending prolonged conflicts.
For businesses and investors, the implications extend to defence expenditure, economic stability, international trade and geopolitical risks.
A Netanyahu defeat could change Israel's political direction, but Eisenkot also maintains a hardline position on several security questions, including opposition to Palestinian statehood.
The election may decide Netanyahu's future. Whether it delivers a stable government, however, is an entirely different question.