Israel has recorded its highest voter turnout in more than 40 years as voters participate in a closely contested general election that could reshape the country’s political leadership, security policies and relations with the Palestinians.
Key Highlights
- Israel records its highest voter turnout in more than 40 years.
- Polls show Netanyahu in a tight race with former military chief Gadi Eisenkot of the Yashar Party.
- Neither bloc is projected to win the 61 seats needed for a majority.
- Security, military service for ultra-Orthodox men and the October 7 failures dominate the campaign.
- A deadlock could force another election, with Netanyahu staying on as interim prime minister.
Opinion polls released ahead of Tuesday’s election showed incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu locked in a tight contest with former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the newly established Yashar Party.
However, neither candidate’s political bloc was projected to win the 61 seats needed to secure a parliamentary majority, raising fears of prolonged negotiations and another period of political uncertainty.
The election has centred on national security, democratic governance, compulsory military service and public confidence in Netanyahu’s leadership.
Opposition parties have accused the prime minister of failing to adequately protect Israel, while his supporters argue that his experience and international relationships make him the strongest candidate to address the country’s security challenges.
The contest has also been overshadowed by allegations of irregularities at polling stations. Several parties raised concerns on Tuesday morning, but Israel’s Central Election Committee said there was no evidence of systematic interference with ballot papers.
Netanyahu Bloc Vs Eisenkot’s Change Bloc
Under Israel’s proportional representation system, parties must negotiate alliances to form a government, making the outcome dependent not only on the number of seats won but also on their ability to secure the support of smaller political groups.
Eisenkot leads the so-called change bloc, an alliance of parties united by their opposition to Netanyahu despite differences in their political ideologies.
The coalition includes former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Avigdor Lieberman and former general Yair Golan.
Netanyahu, who first became prime minister in 1996, is seeking another term with the backing of far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties that form his current governing coalition.
Far-right ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich have played prominent roles in the administration.
Arab political parties are also contesting the election and could potentially influence the formation of the next government, with Arab voter turnout seen as a key factor. However, most major Jewish parties have ruled out entering a coalition with them.
Security, October 7 And Iran
Security has remained one of the most contentious issues, with opposition leaders criticising Netanyahu over the failures preceding the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023.
The attacks killed nearly 1,200 people and resulted in 251 others being taken hostage to Gaza.
Opposition parties have demanded an independent commission of inquiry into the events, but Netanyahu has resisted the proposal, arguing that such an investigation would be biased against him.
His political opponents have also criticised his ongoing corruption trial, in which he denies wrongdoing, and his controversial judicial reform proposals, which previously sparked widespread protests across the country.
Netanyahu has defended his record, portraying himself as the candidate best positioned to protect Israel amid regional conflicts. He has also highlighted his relationship with United States President Donald Trump as an advantage.
In the final days of the campaign, reports emerged alleging that Netanyahu had pushed for fresh military action against Iran before the election.
He denied the allegations, while CNN separately reported that Trump had declined a request to approve additional strikes against Iran.
Netanyahu also drew attention after sharing an AI-generated image depicting a nuclear bomb striking Tel Aviv while warning about the possibility of Iran acquiring nuclear weapons.
Eisenkot criticised the move, describing Netanyahu as hysterical.
Read also:
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Military Service, Gaza And The Palestinians
The question of compulsory military service has emerged as another major campaign issue.
Netanyahu’s government has faced criticism over its failure to enforce a Supreme Court ruling requiring ultra-Orthodox Jewish men engaged in full-time religious study to undertake military service.
The issue has become increasingly divisive as thousands of other Israelis have been mobilised for military operations in recent conflicts.
Two ultra-Orthodox parties in Netanyahu’s governing coalition have opposed compulsory service for members of their communities, complicating efforts to resolve the dispute.
On Gaza, Eisenkot has pledged to end Hamas’ rule within 18 months, either through a United States-led peace initiative or military action if necessary.
Israel has continued carrying out strikes in Gaza despite a ceasefire agreement reached last year, saying its operations target Hamas militants.
Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry has reported more than 74,000 Palestinian deaths since the war began. The figures are considered reliable by the United Nations.
Israel’s military campaign has attracted mounting international criticism, while relations with several of its international partners have deteriorated.
Eisenkot broadly supports Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank but has advocated action against extremist settlers accused of attacking Palestinians.
He has also discussed arrangements that could grant Palestinians limited autonomy or a form of statehood under Israeli security control.
The prospect of establishing an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel, however, has largely receded from mainstream Israeli political debate.
Coalition Negotiations Could Delay Government Formation
With neither major bloc expected to secure an outright majority, smaller parties could play a decisive role in determining who becomes prime minister.
Although Arab parties could potentially support an Eisenkot-led minority government, Lieberman has ruled out participating in such an arrangement.
Israeli broadcasters are expected to release exit polls after voting closes at 22:00 local time on Tuesday. However, the projections may not accurately reflect the final distribution of parliamentary seats.
An estimated 70,000 Israelis reportedly returned from abroad to vote, while hundreds of thousands of citizens are participating in an election for the first time.
Soldiers and reservists are also casting ballots, although some of their votes may not be counted until Wednesday, potentially influencing the final outcome.
The possibility of political deadlock remains a major concern if neither bloc can assemble sufficient support to form a government.
If negotiations fail, Israel could be forced to hold another election, with Netanyahu remaining as interim prime minister.
The country experienced a prolonged period of political instability between 2019 and 2022, when five elections were held amid repeated failures by rival parties to agree on a governing coalition.
The latest contest is therefore expected to have far-reaching implications for Israel’s domestic politics, regional security strategy and relations with the Palestinians and the international community.
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