Israel Elections

Netanyahu or Eisenkot? Israel's election leaves Herzog with an impossible choice - comment

With Likud emerging as the largest party but Gadi Eisenkot's opposition bloc ahead in the initial exit polls, the president faces a difficult decision over who should be given the first opportunity.

 President Isaac Herzog.
(L-R): Yashar head Gadi Eisenkot; Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Eisenkot and Netanyahu have reason to celebrate, but Israel does not, yet - comment

Yisrael Beiteinu party chairman MK Avigdor Liberman at the party’s election headquarters in Tel Aviv, on Israel’s general election night, October 27, 2026.

Liberman's Yisrael Beytenu projected to win 7-8 seats in next Knesset, election exit polls predict

A woman votes during the national election in the Arab city of Umm al-Fahm, northern Israel, October 27, 2026

Arab voter turnout would have been lower had there been any other outgoing government - analysis


Israel could face a hostile US president after Trump leaves office, Netanyahu warns

Netanyahu raised concerns about how the next Israeli prime minister would manage relations with a potentially hostile US administration.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seen during a presentation of Israel’s national security doctrine, in Jerusalem, October 18, 2026

Eisenkot leads Netanyahu in four polls, but neither bloc secures Knesset majority - poll

With 10 days until the election, four recent polls show Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party ahead of Likud, while the Zionist opposition and Netanyahu's bloc remain virtually tied.

(L-R): Yashar head Gadi Eisenkot; Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Israeli TV host calls Gadi Eisenkot a 'monkey', alleges behind-the-scenes control

During the discussion, Magal said, "He's a monkey, he's a monkey. Are you impressed by the fact that he's Mizrahi?"

 Israeli radio presenter Yinon Magal attends the Muni Expo 2024 conference in Tel Aviv, on June 10, 2024

Democrats party's Golan questions Shin Bet chief Zini's ability to safeguard Israeli elections

Yair Golan raised concerns over Shin Bet chief David Zini's ability to protect Israel's upcoming elections, accusing him of failing to address Qatargate and Jewish terrorism in the West Bank.

Yair Golan saying he does not rule out forming a coalition with the haredi parties, as long as the Religious Zionist Party, Otzma Yehudit, and the Likud are not there – a position that surprised many. Here, the party leader leads a faction meeting at the Knesset on Monday.

Ex-Shin Bet chief warns Netanyahu could deliberately escalate tensions ahead of elections

Former Shin Bet chief Yoram Cohen warned that Netanyahu could deliberately escalate security tensions ahead of Israel's elections, citing concerns that political motives have influenced his decisions

Former Shin Bet chief and Yashar party member Yoram Cohen speaks during the launch of the Yashar party’s election campaign in Hod Hasharon, central Israel, June 30, 2026.

Ben-Gvir surges in polls as election campaign exposes deep divisions in Israel

The contrasting reactions to Ben-Gvir's campaign visit to Ramla offered a glimpse into Israel's deeply polarized society as his far-right Otzma Yehudit party surges in the polls.

Election billboards for Otzma Yehudit party and its party head Itamar Ben Gvir, in Ramat Gan. October 04, 2026.

Israel picks between 'secular democracy or theocracy' in election, chess master Garry Kasparov says

"Just as Abraham Lincoln observed that the government could not persist 'half slave and half free,' Israel cannot go on half theocratic and half secular," Kasparov, whose father was Jewish, said.

Israel’s election campaign is gathering pace, with the country’s political parties competing over the questions of security, leadership and the direction Israel takes after three years of war.

Majority of Israelis favor unity government if October 27 election ends without clear winner - poll

The Maariv poll also found that 48% of people think Gadi Eisenkot would make a better prime minister than Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had 41% support, giving Eisenkot a significant lead.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) and Gadi Eisenkot (R).

Israel does not need politicians to always agree, but it needs a unity government - editorial

For the politicians vying for our vote to lead the country, the task ahead should not simply be to form the next government but to begin putting the country back together.

Israelis vote for a party list, but have no say on Election Day over which of its candidates will ultimately represent them in the Knesset.

Yaron Zelekha slams Netanyahu's economic policy, vows to cut cost of living

“The reason Bibi attacks me is that he knows that once I become Finance Minister, the public will realize that life here could have been cheaper over the past twenty years,” Zelekha said.

Professor Yaron Zelekha, chairman of the New Economic Party and a candidate on the joint electoral list with Yoaz Hendel’s Reservists Party, speaks during a press conference in the central Israeli city of Modi’in, ahead of Israel’s upcoming general elections, October 15, 2026.