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On October 27, Israelis began casting ballots to elect the 120 members of the Knesset. The general election serves as a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership following the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks and subsequent multi-front wars involving Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran. Pre-election polls indicated a tight race between Netanyahu's right-wing bloc and the opposition, with neither side guaranteed to secure the 61-seat majority required to form a new government.
Prior to the vote, by 05:22 UTC on October 25, tens of thousands of Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv on Saturday evening to demand a state commission of inquiry into the failures surrounding the October 2023 attacks. The rally at Hostages Square, organized by the October Council, included bereaved families, former hostages, survivors, and opposition leaders Gadi Eisenkot, Avigdor Liberman, and Yair Golan. Ahead of the event, organizers sent an urgent letter to the police warning of potential disruptions by pro-government activists. Netanyahu has consistently refused to establish an independent state inquiry, instead proposing a politically appointed commission that opposition figures have rejected.
How the story developed
On October 18, United States President Donald Trump issued a formal endorsement of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nine days before the parliamentary vote. The announcement described the incumbent as a necessary leader for regional security. The intervention cemented the US administration's preference in the tightly contested domestic race, following periods of strained relations between the two leaders over regional strategy and domestic political pressures.
The following day, on October 19, former defense minister Benny Gantz withdrew from the election. Late surveys showed his centrist National Unity faction failing to cross the 3.25 percent electoral threshold. Gantz's exit removed one of the prime minister's most prominent moderate challengers.
Gantz's withdrawal consolidated the anti-Netanyahu bloc by preventing the waste of tens of thousands of votes on a party that would secure no seats. In response to this consolidation, right-wing leaders utilized the development to drive conservative voter turnout during the final week of the campaign.
Also on Monday, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth held an undisclosed meeting with Netanyahu in Israel. The unannounced visit coincided with ongoing bilateral discussions between US and Israeli officials regarding the potential resumption of major combat operations against Iran. While Trump had endorsed Netanyahu on Sunday, US Vice President JD Vance declined to issue an endorsement on Monday.
What to watch
- Whether Netanyahu's right-wing bloc or the opposition will secure the 61-seat majority required to form a new government.
- Whether US and Israeli officials will resume major combat operations against Iran.
- Whether an independent state commission of inquiry into the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack failures will be established.
Where things stand
Israelis Cast Ballots in Tightly Contested Election Deciding Netanyahu's Fate
Key point: Voters in Israel are heading to the polls for a pivotal general election that will decide whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu retains power amid ongoing regional conflicts.
Israelis are casting their ballots in a highly consequential general election on Tuesday to determine the political future of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Voters are heading to polling stations across the country to elect the 120 members of the Knesset.
The election serves as a major referendum on Netanyahu's leadership following the October 2023 Hamas-led attacks and the subsequent multi-front wars involving Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran. Pre-election polls indicate a tight race between Netanyahu's right-wing bloc and the opposition, with neither side guaranteed to secure the 61-seat majority required to form a new government.
Tens of Thousands Rally in Tel Aviv for Oct. 7 State Inquiry Days Before Election
Key point: Tens of thousands of Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv to demand an independent state inquiry into the October 7 attacks ahead of the upcoming general election.
Tens of thousands of Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv on Saturday evening, just days before the general election, to demand a state commission of inquiry into the failures surrounding the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. The rally, organized by the October Council, brought together bereaved families, former hostages, and survivors at Hostages Square.
Opposition leaders, including Gadi Eisenkot, Avigdor Liberman, and Yair Golan, attended the demonstration. Ahead of the event, organizers sent an urgent letter to the police warning of potential disruptions by pro-government activists, urging law enforcement to prevent provocations from overshadowing their call for answers.
The protest serves as a final major public event before the closely fought election, which is widely viewed as a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu has consistently refused to establish an independent state inquiry, instead proposing a politically appointed commission that opposition figures have rejected.
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Timeline
October 2026
Israelis Cast Ballots in Tightly Contested Election Deciding Netanyahu's Fate
- Israelis Cast Ballots in Tightly Contested Election Deciding Netanyahu's FateKey point: Voters in Israel are heading to the polls for a pivotal general election that will decide whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu retains power amid ongoing regional conflicts.
Tens of Thousands Rally in Tel Aviv for Oct. 7 State Inquiry Days Before Election
- Tens of Thousands Rally in Tel Aviv for Oct. 7 State Inquiry Days Before ElectionKey point: Tens of thousands of Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv to demand an independent state inquiry into the October 7 attacks ahead of the upcoming general election.
US Defense Secretary Hegseth Makes Unannounced Visit to Israel Ahead of Election
Benny Gantz Withdraws From Israeli Election Eight Days Before Vote Amid Collapsing Poll Numbers
US President Donald Trump Endorses Benjamin Netanyahu Nine Days Before Israeli Election
