Israel Elections 2026

Netanyahu calls for Otzma Yehudit and RZP to unite, Ben-Gvir signals his opposition

"Only a large Otzma Yehudit, together with Smotrich and Ofer Winter running together, only in this way can a fully right-wing government be formed," Ben-Gvir said.

(L-R): National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich seen in the Knesset plenum, December 29, 2022
An illustration of an Israeli voting at the ballot box.

Only two blocs: The election math Netanyahu doesn’t want Israelis to see - opinion

Jeremy Saltan (L) joind former prime minister Naftali Bennett's B'Yachad party, August 27, 2026.

Bennett adds longtime adviser, IDF reservist Jeremy Saltan to B’Yachad Knesset slate

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu casts his ballot at his party Likud's main polling station during primary elections ahead of Israel's general election in October in Jerusalem on August 17, 2026; illustrative

'We lost 10 seats': Netanyahu struggles to find campaign strategy as Likud slips in polls - report


Israel Election 2026: What does Avigdor Liberman’s Yisrael Beytenu stand for?

"If I put this ballot in the box, what government, policies, and political reality am I helping create?"

Yisrael Beytenu leader and MK Avigdor Liberman holds a press conference in Tel Aviv, May 6, 2026

'Running to fix broken systems’: Haskel defines Israel First as Pollard joins slate - interview

After three years of war and political disputes surrounding military service, she said Israelis need leaders who approach public responsibility with the determination of a parent protecting a child.

(L-R) Jonathan Pollard, MK Sharren Haskel, Roi Danino announce Pollard's addition to the Israel First party, August 23, 2026.

‘Have a problem, call the PM,’ says Netanyahu as he gives out his number in campaign video

“I want to hear from you. Your suggestions, your questions, your problems. I want to hear, so leave me a message,” Netanyahu said.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks on the phone on September 04, 2019.

Bennett: Next gov't will declare national education emergency, address teacher shortage

Bennett has said that a government led by him would cut state funding to haredi educational institutions that do not teach core curriculum studies and halt funding to haredim who evade service.

Former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett attends a joint election campaign event with former Israeli prime minister Yair Lapid of their joint party on August 20, 2026 in Ramat Hasharon, Israel.

Developments of the last week that could affect the approaching elections - opinion

His goal was to put unattractive candidates out of realistic places on the list – or as low on the list as possible. In many cases Netanyahu was successful, or at least partially successful. 

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara arrive to cast their vote at a polling station in Jerusalem on August 17, 2026, as party members vote in the Likud primary elections to determine the party’s Knesset list ahead of the Israeli general elections.

Sohlberg allows Ben-Gvir to attend police event despite election campaigning concerns

The event at hand is an appreciation event for Israel Police volunteers and members of police emergency squads. It is officially planned to mark 50 years of the police volunteer system. 

Otzma Yehudit party chairman and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, together with members of his party, attends a supporters’ conference ahead of the upcoming general elections in Petah Tikva, central Israel, August 16, 2026.

Ex-Yesh Atid MK Elazar Stern joins Eisenkot's Yashar, after announcing resignation from Knesset

Earlier this month, Stern announced his resignation from Yesh Atid, where he had been a member since 2015, and initially said he would resign from the Knesset entirely.

MK Elazar Stern and Gadi Eisenkot.

Yashar surges ahead of Likud in the polls, but can Eisenkot turn popularity into power? - analysis

Other recent polls have differed on the size of the advantage, but most of the six surveys reviewed for this article placed Yashar ahead of Likud.

Gadi Eisenkot attends a conference at the Academic College in Tel Aviv, January 6, 2026.

Shin Bet chief David Zini: I alone made decision to deny Gadi Eisenkot security detail

Yet, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed the head of the Shin Bet security agency on Sunday evening to ensure that Eisenkot receives security protection.

Shin Bet Director David Zini attends the funeral of an Israeli soldier at the Mount Herzl Military Cemetery in Jerusalem, March 27, 2026

Israel’s political parties must make out-of-home care a national priority - opinion

National security is not only about borders, military strength, and weapons systems. It is also about whether a child removed from home has a stable adult waiting at the end of the day.

 THE FOSTER families provide loving, stable homes for children to recover from difficult situations (Illustrative).