Overview
- Israelis are voting on Oct. 27 in the first national election since the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks, a contest widely framed as a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security record.
- Final polls show a near tie with neither Netanyahu’s bloc nor the opposition projected to reach the 61 seats needed to form a government, leaving small parties and Arab‑led lists in a kingmaker role.
- Accountability for the Oct. 7 failures, demands for a state commission of inquiry, the exemption of ultra‑Orthodox men from military service and contested judicial reforms have driven mass protests and dominated the campaign debate.
- In the closing days of the campaign Netanyahu held an unusual meeting with Police Commissioner Danny Levy to discuss election integrity, a move reported as controversial by Israel’s Central Elections Committee.
- Beyond the immediate result, the vote will shape military manpower policy, domestic cohesion and who controls defence and foreign policy during any lengthy coalition talks while Netanyahu faces corruption charges and an ICC warrant.