Israeli voters will head to the ballot box today in the country’s first legislative election since its war with the Palestinian militants Hamas began.
The conflict, which broke out on October 7 2023, has engulfed Gaza, while also creeping into Iran, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen – and attracting international condemnation.
Now Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is locked in a tense contest with Gadi Eisenkot, the former head of Israel Defence Forces, to hold onto his job.
Here’s what you need to know.
How Do Israeli Elections Work?
The Knesset, Israel’s parliament, has 120 elected members – so any political party needs to win 61 seats to govern with a majority.
But Israel uses proportional representation when it comes to elections, so its governments tends to be coalitions made up of multiple groups.
If parties are not able to reach an agreement and form a majority, a minority government could form or another election could be called with Netanyahu remaining as the interim leader.
Who Is Battling It Out?
Netanyahu is Israeli’s longest-serving prime minister and the leader of the right-wing Likud party.
He was first elected as Israel’s youngest-ever prime minister in 1996 for three years.
He then served several consecutive terms from 2009 to 2021, though he was forced to form a coalition with far-right parties in 2022.
Netanyahu has subsequently overseen the most ring-wing government in the country’s history and will likely have to do a deal with the far-right again if he wants to remain in power.
His main opponent, Eisenkot, only formed his Yashar Party – meaning “straight” or “honest – last year.
He served in Netanyahu’s cabinet until he resigned in 2024 over the prime minister’s handling of the Gaza war.
He has criticised the incumbent PM for the security failures which led to October 7, and is seen as being a rather unpolished newcomer.
But he has been rather non-committal over the two-state solution for ending the Gaza war and the Israeli settlement of the occupied West Bank.
Former right-wing prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Avigdor Lieberman are also running, along with ex-general Yair Golan, who is on the left.
Two Arab parties are running, too. They could be the ultimate power brokers in the coalitions, though it’s unclear if the Jewish parties will work with them.
Why Might This Be Such A Pivotal Election?
The Gaza conflict has shaken Israel and Netanyahu could be on the cusp of losing power as a result.
When Hamas militants killed nearly 1,200 people and took 251 hostages back to Gaza, Israelis began to question the country’s security.
The friends and families of the victims and hostages taken by Palestinian militants on October 7 have demanded accountability for the government’s failure to prevent the attack.
Netanyahu has been trying to portray himself as “Mr Security” by highlighting the strategic victories in Israel’s war since 2023 in an attempt to hold onto voters.
But, the cost of living weighs on many Israelis, too, as food and housing costs have risen since Israelis last went to the polls.
Challengers also criticise the government’s reliance on conscription, as even ultra-Orthodox Jewish men in full-time religious study are being sent to war.
The conflict against Hamas is a deeply divisive topic within Israel, too.
While there is plenty of support for the war – with many believing Israel is making an effort to avoid causing unnecessary suffering to Palestinians – there have been some consternation over the suffering in Gaza.
The British Red Cross reports that the death toll in the Palestinian territory now exceeds 69,000, including 17,000 children.
But, a year after a ceasefire was reached, Israel continues to strike Gaza nearly every day, claiming to target Hamas militants.
The occupied West Bank is another area of conflict, as the Israeli settlements – which are illegal according to international law – continue to grow.
However, the two frontrunners have similar approaches to the war in Gaza.
Netanyahu has promised to prevent the creation of a Palestinian state, as has Eisenkot.
The latter has also vowed to end Hamas rule in Gaza in 18 months – either through a peace plan or more military action.
Eisenkot supports Israeli settlements but opposes the E1 settlement project which would split the West Bank in two. He’s also pushed back against extremist Jewish settlers.
Netanyahu, on the other hand, has presided over a significant expansion of settlements in the West Bank.
Even so, none of the dominant Jewish parties are campaigning to pursue a two-state solution – and Netanyahu has already blocked it.
Both Netanyahu and Eisenkot say Israel must retain security control over all territory between the Jordan River and Mediterranean Sea.
What Happens Next?
Israeli broadcasters are expected to publish the exit polls at 10pm local time, (8pm GMT).
Preliminary results will come out the next day and official results will be published on November 4.
Israel’s president Isaac Herzog will invite the leader he believes has the best chance of forming a coalition to start setting up their government – though that can be an arduous process running up to a month long.
If the politicians cannot agree to form a government after that, Herzog can ask a second and a third leader to take over, before he will have to call new elections.
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