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


Yisca Hayimov, sister of Shin Bet chief David Zini, joins Avi Maoz's far-right Noam LeYisrael party

The ultra-conservative Noam LeYisrael party, led by MK Avi Maoz, opposes homosexuality and has been pushing for expanding Jewish settlements in the West Bank.

Liora Alon and Yisca Hayimov stand with Noam for Israel Party chair MK Avi Maoz.

Hamas support plunges among Palestinians as Barghouti emerges as top Abbas successor - poll

New polling presented by Khalil Shikaki shows declining confidence in Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, growing support for negotiations, and a potentially decisive role for Marwan Barghouti.

Palestinians protest in support of senior Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti in the West Bank city of Nablus, August 20, 2025

Election Committee approves 159 polling stations in senior facilities, asks High Court to end case

The decision means the 159 polling locations no longer need approval from the Elections Committee. What remains is whether the solution is enough to end the High Court proceedings.

Likud party members are seen 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.

Ex-spy Jonathan Pollard joins Sharren Haskel's Israel First party ahead of elections

Haskel welcomed Pollard’s support, describing his decision to join the party as a significant boost for Israel First.

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

Shas invokes IDF soldiers in election campaign ad, drawing Gadi Eisenkot's ire

The Shas campaign video features a family gathered for a Shabbat dinner before a son returns home from his army base and embraces his family members.

Gadi Eisenkot, head of the Yashar party attends a conference in the northern Israeli city of Haifa, July 9, 2026.

LGBTQ Agudah faces backlash for congratulating Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana on Likud primary win

"When a community member is elected by a large public, when a community member reaches positions of influence at the core of politics, it sends an important message," the association wrote.

Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana attends a Likud party conference ahead of the party’s primary elections in the northern city of Haifa, August 16, 2026.

US, Israel only ones who don't recognize Palestine as state, Ra'am's Abbas says

"We, the Arab citizens of Israel, are a bridge to achieving peace," Ra'am Party head MK Mansour Abbas said at the conference.

Ra'am party head MK Mansour Abbas leads a faction meeting, at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on June 29, 2026.

Middle Israel: Netanyahu's Likud list for the Israeli election highlights PM's cowardice - opinion

Following Likud’s primaries, the party’s new list faces criticism for reflecting Netanyahu’s leadership style and prioritizing political survival rather than the national interest.

Campaign materials of candidates who ran in yesterday’s Likud primary elections are seen in Jerusalem, August 18, 2026

Liberman's unified strategy is key for state-oriented Zionist bloc's victory in elections - opinion

To the attention of all my colleagues in the opposition: Only a firm decision by all of us to adhere to these principles and maintain a bloc-wide strategy will bring us a clear and decisive victory.

Yisrael Beytenu leader MK Avigdor Liberman leads a faction meeting at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, July 6, 2026

Eisenkot leaps ahead as Likud support falters, projected to win 26 Knesset seats - poll

The findings come from a poll conducted for Maariv by Lazar Research, headed by Dr. Menachem Lazar, in cooperation with the Panel4All online respondents panel.

Amid reports that the Shas Party could be willing to sit with him in government, Yashar Party head Gadi Eisenkot did not rule out that option entirely. Here, Eisenkot attends the Sagi Laws for Equality Confrence at the Peres Center in Jaffa earlier this week.