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


Hamas will be destroyed within 18 months of becoming PM, Eisenkot pledges

In response, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party stated, "How would you destroy Hama without getting permission from your partners, Mansour [Abbas] and [Ahmed] Tibi?"

Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot give press briefing at Gaza border, October 15, 2026.

Netanyahu's dilemma: War with Iran might hand election win to Eisenkot, sources say

Israel has told Washington it would prefer military action against Iran to begin after the October 27 election, according to sources familiar with the matter.

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

Netanyahu on October 7: Nobody told Bush to 'go home' after September 11 attacks

The prime minister said he hoped the election would proceed as scheduled but warned that Israel's enemies could attempt attacks or rocket fire to create an impression of Israeli vulnerability.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at the United Nations in New York City, September 24, 2026.

Fitch warns of the elections: 'Political instability will make reducing the deficit difficult'

The rating agency left the credit rating unchanged, but the outlook remains negative. The reason: Fear of an endless election wave that will prevent painful budget decisions from being made.

Fitch rating agency.

'Bennett II': Ben-Gvir refuses to sign vote surplus share agreement with Winter's People of Israel

Ben-Gvir refused to sign a surplus vote agreement with Ofer Winter, calling him "Bennett II," prompting Winter to accuse him of wasting right-wing votes ahead of the elections.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visits the Maariv and Walla studios at the start of the election campaign, October 13, 2026.

'Focus on Hamas, not me': Winter accuses Netanyahu of prioritizing political survival over security

"Instead of dealing with the People of Israel and the electoral threshold, focus on reducing the percentage of trucks entering Gaza every day as protection money for Hamas," Winter said.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L), Ofer Winter.

Netanyahu must agree to debate Eisenkot as it's only way for voters to get answers - editorial

Israel needs those answers to understand how its leaders would prevent another catastrophe. Accountability also requires examining the decisions of the military and intelligence establishments.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a Likud election campaign event ahead of the upcoming general elections, in Tel Aviv, September 17, 2026.

Echo of the past: Israel's election broadcasts hit TV on Tuesday, but are they relevant? - analysis

It was a different time. Everybody watched the same station, giving the parties an opportunity today’s campaign managers can only dream of: reaching a broad audience in one place.

Naama Lazimi, a Member of Knesset and candidate in The Democrats party primaries, is seen at her campaign headquarters on the day of the party’s primary election in Tel Aviv, Israel, July 20, 2026.

Joint List offers safety net to government seeking to oust Netanyahu, opening door for Eisenkot

Declaring the Joint List will use "every tool at our disposal," party leader Yousef Jabareen also laid out a series of demands as conditions for providing political support to a minority government.

Yousef Jabareen, chairman of the Joint List, attends the party’s campaign launch event ahead of the upcoming Israeli general elections, in Tel Aviv, October 5, 2026

Shas, UTJ sign surplus vote-sharing deal, pledge cooperation in next Knesset

The two major haredi parties announced a vote-sharing deal to maximize their Knesset seats and pledge a united front on key religious issues after the elections.

Shas leader MK Arye Deri (L) and United Torah Judaism leader MK Ya’akov Asher.