Key facts
- Israel will hold national elections on October 27.
- The Knesset will be dissolved on Friday.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces corruption charges.
- Gadi Eisenkot is a leading opposition contender.
- Recent polls suggest Netanyahu could lose the election.
Israel is set to hold national elections on October 27, providing its citizens their first opportunity to vote on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership since the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023. The Knesset, Israel's parliament, will be dissolved on Friday, with the current government rushing to pass several controversial laws before the election.
Prime Minister Netanyahu, 76, is facing a corruption trial and current polling suggests he may be ousted from office. However, he is known as a political survivor who has defied expectations in the past. The attacks on October 7, which killed nearly 1,200 people, occurred on his watch. The ensuing conflict in Gaza has been described as genocidal by a UN commission, academics, legal scholars, and rights groups.
Netanyahu's campaign is centered on national security, with an "unrelenting message" that only he can ensure Israeli safety. Political analyst Dahlia Scheindlin described the government's strategy as either highly sophisticated or desperate, possibly both.
Israel's electoral system is based on proportional representation, making elections a national conversation. Following the announcement of the election date, coalition Knesset members were reportedly ordered to remain in Jerusalem to finalize legislation. These proposed laws include measures to weaken the powers of the attorney general and enshrine Torah study as a "foundational value," a move seen as supporting draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox parties.
Gadi Eisenkot, a former chief of staff for Israel's military, is identified as the leading opposition contender. His party has recently overtaken Netanyahu's Likud in polls. Eisenkot, son of Moroccan immigrants, has built a political message around professional success and personal sacrifice, contrasting with Netanyahu's diplomatic focus. Netanyahu, who spent formative years in the US, has often highlighted his international connections, but his recent policies have led to Israel's international isolation.
Even if Netanyahu is removed from power, it remains uncertain if a successor would significantly alter the political course regarding relations with Palestinians. Eisenkot previously served in the unity government formed after the October 7 attacks, a period during which Israel restricted essential supplies to Gaza, actions that drew international criticism.