Israel Heads to Polls in Closely Fought Election Following Years of War

Israelis head to the polls on Tuesday, October 27, to elect the 120 members of the Knesset in a closely contested vote that will decide if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains in power after four years marked by war and deep political divisions. His main political rival, former army chief Gadi Eisenkot, leads the Opposition's push to unseat him.

The Electoral Landscape

About 7.3 million citizens are eligible to vote with 38 parties registered, though recent polls show roughly 11 parties clearing the threshold to enter parliament. Voters choose a party list, and seats are divided nationwide in proportion to the total vote. A party must win 3.25 percent of the vote to secure a seat, and any government needs 61 seats to form a ruling coalition. Surveys indicate neither major camp will reach the 61-seat mark on its own, making post-election coalition talks essential.

Key Issues and Alliances

Major issues in the election include accountability for the October 7, 2023, security failures, military service exemptions for ultra-Orthodox Jews, judicial reform, and national security. Netanyahu faces high stakes over his political future and relies on far-right partners, while Eisenkot leads the Yashar party which was launched in September 2025. Other key players include a merged list led by former prime ministers Bennett and Lapid, alongside various religious, right-wing, and Arab parties.

Context

Israel has experienced frequent elections in recent years, holding five separate votes between 2019 and 2022 before the outgoing Knesset managed to serve a full four-year term. Coalition governments are structurally necessary in Israel's proportional representation system since single parties rarely win an outright majority of 61 seats on their own.