Israelis began voting on Tuesday in a closely contested parliamentary election placing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against his rivals, amid deep domestic divisions, political and security challenges facing the country.
Around 7.3 million eligible voters are expected to vote for the 120 members of the 26th Knesset, in the first parliamentary election since the October 7, 2023, attack and the ensuing war in the Gaza Strip.
The battle is centered on Netanyahu, who is seeking to retain his position, and former Israeli army chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot, who leads the centrist Yashar party and hopes to form a coalition capable of ending Netanyahu’s rule.
Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, leads a bloc of religious and right-wing parties, including his Likud party, ultra-Orthodox religious parties and far-right groups.
Eisenkot, meanwhile, is seeking to unite diverse political forces behind an alternative coalition, capitalizing on criticism of Netanyahu over the security failures preceding the October 7 attack and his refusal to accept personal responsibility for them.
The Battle for a Parliamentary Majority
Although Yashar has outpolled Likud in some recent surveys, the race remains tight, with neither bloc expected to easily secure a clear majority.
Any governing coalition needs the support of at least 61 lawmakers to secure a majority in the Knesset, giving smaller parties a potential role in determining the shape of the next government.
Estimates suggest opposition parties could turn to forming a minority government backed by Arab parties if they fail to assemble a coalition with a stable majority.
A total of 37 electoral lists are contesting the election, but projections suggest only around one-third may cross the 3.25% electoral threshold required to enter the Knesset.
When Will the Results Be Announced?
Around 12,000 polling stations have been set up across Israel, most of which opened at 7 am local time.
Polling stations are scheduled to close at 10 pm, after which initial projections are expected to be released ahead of the announcement of the official results.
The election carries particular significance amid the fallout from the war in Gaza and deep domestic political divisions, with attention focused on whether the vote will allow Netanyahu to form a new government or pave the way for a change in Israel’s leadership.
Around 7.3 million eligible voters are expected to vote for the 120 members of the 26th Knesset, in the first parliamentary election since the October 7, 2023, attack and the ensuing war in the Gaza Strip.
The battle is centered on Netanyahu, who is seeking to retain his position, and former Israeli army chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot, who leads the centrist Yashar party and hopes to form a coalition capable of ending Netanyahu’s rule.
Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, leads a bloc of religious and right-wing parties, including his Likud party, ultra-Orthodox religious parties and far-right groups.
Eisenkot, meanwhile, is seeking to unite diverse political forces behind an alternative coalition, capitalizing on criticism of Netanyahu over the security failures preceding the October 7 attack and his refusal to accept personal responsibility for them.
The Battle for a Parliamentary Majority
Although Yashar has outpolled Likud in some recent surveys, the race remains tight, with neither bloc expected to easily secure a clear majority.
Any governing coalition needs the support of at least 61 lawmakers to secure a majority in the Knesset, giving smaller parties a potential role in determining the shape of the next government.
Estimates suggest opposition parties could turn to forming a minority government backed by Arab parties if they fail to assemble a coalition with a stable majority.
A total of 37 electoral lists are contesting the election, but projections suggest only around one-third may cross the 3.25% electoral threshold required to enter the Knesset.
When Will the Results Be Announced?
Around 12,000 polling stations have been set up across Israel, most of which opened at 7 am local time.
Polling stations are scheduled to close at 10 pm, after which initial projections are expected to be released ahead of the announcement of the official results.
The election carries particular significance amid the fallout from the war in Gaza and deep domestic political divisions, with attention focused on whether the vote will allow Netanyahu to form a new government or pave the way for a change in Israel’s leadership.
