Israeli voters are turning out in record numbers in a closely contested election that could reshape the country’s political future, with incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu facing a strong challenge from former military chief Gadi Eisenkot.
According to the latest reports, voter turnout has reached its highest level in more than four decades. The election is widely viewed as a pivotal moment for Israel, with political debate dominated by national security, democracy and Netanyahu’s record in office.
Polling published on Friday suggests Netanyahu and Eisenkot are running almost neck and neck in the race for prime minister. However, neither political bloc is projected to secure the 61 seats required to form a majority government, raising the possibility of prolonged coalition negotiations.
Eisenkot leads the newly formed Yashar Party and is a central figure in the so-called “change bloc”, an alliance of parties united by their opposition to Netanyahu remaining in power. The bloc also includes former prime minister Naftali Bennett, Avigdor Lieberman and former general Yair Golan, despite their differences on other political issues.
Netanyahu, who first became prime minister in 1996, is seeking to return to power through an alliance with far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties that currently support his government.
Security and Democracy at the Centre of Campaign
Security has been one of the most prominent issues in the campaign. Opposition parties have criticised Netanyahu over the security failures preceding the Hamas-led attacks on 7 October 2023, when nearly 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage to Gaza.
Opposition leaders have called for an independent commission of inquiry into the attacks. Netanyahu has resisted the proposal, arguing that such an inquiry would be biased against him.
The prime minister is also facing an ongoing corruption trial, with charges he denies, while his proposed judicial reforms have previously triggered mass protests across Israel.
Netanyahu has presented himself as the candidate best placed to protect Israel, highlighting what he describes as strategic successes in regional conflicts and his close relationship with US President Donald Trump.
In the final days of the campaign, reports by Israeli broadcaster Channel 12 and CNN suggested Netanyahu had sought further military action against Iran. The reports said his proposals faced opposition from Israel’s military chief and did not receive approval from Trump. Netanyahu denied both reports.
He also drew attention after posting an AI-generated image depicting a nuclear bomb striking Tel Aviv, warning that Israel needed a leader capable of protecting the country if Iran acquired nuclear weapons. Eisenkot criticised the post, describing Netanyahu as “hysterical”.
Conscription Dispute Adds to Political Tensions
Another major issue is military conscription for ultra-Orthodox Jewish men studying full-time in religious institutions.
Netanyahu’s government has faced criticism for failing to enforce a Supreme Court ruling requiring their conscription, particularly as thousands of other Israelis have been called up to serve in recent wars. Ultra-Orthodox parties in the governing coalition have opposed compulsory military service for their community.
Arab political parties are also contesting the election. Arab citizens account for about one-fifth of Israel’s population, and their parties could potentially play a decisive role in determining the next government.
However, most major Jewish parties have ruled out working with the Arab blocs. Lieberman has also rejected the possibility of participating in an arrangement that would informally support an Eisenkot-led minority government.
Gaza and the Palestinian Question
Eisenkot has taken a broadly similar position to Netanyahu on Gaza, pledging to end Hamas rule within 18 months through a US-led peace plan or, if necessary, military action.
Israel has continued carrying out strikes in Gaza since a ceasefire was agreed last year, saying it targets Hamas operatives. Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry reports that more than 74,000 people have been killed since the war began. The UN considers the ministry’s figures reliable.
Israel has faced growing international criticism over its conduct of the war, while relations with several allies have deteriorated.
Eisenkot broadly supports Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, which are considered illegal under international law. However, he has called for action against extremist Jewish settlers whose attacks have reached record levels, according to UN figures.
He has also spoken about creating conditions for Palestinian “autonomy or a state-minus” under ultimate Israeli security control. Meanwhile, the prospect of a two-state solution has largely disappeared from mainstream Israeli political debate.
Coalition Talks Could Take Weeks
Israel’s proportional representation system means governments are formed through coalitions, making the final outcome dependent on negotiations between parties.
An estimated 70,000 Israelis have reportedly returned from abroad to vote, while hundreds of thousands are expected to cast ballots for the first time.
Israeli broadcasters are scheduled to publish exit polls at 22:00 local time on Tuesday. The projections may offer an early indication of the result, although exit polls can differ significantly from the final count.
Votes cast by soldiers and reservists may also influence the outcome, with some of these ballots not expected to be counted until Wednesday.
Although the election is largely being framed as a contest between Netanyahu and Eisenkot, another political leader could emerge as prime minister if they secure sufficient support from coalition partners.
If neither bloc can assemble a majority and no minority government can be formed, Israel could face another political deadlock and a fresh election, with Netanyahu remaining as interim prime minister.
The country experienced five elections between 2019 and 2022 amid repeated difficulties in forming stable governing coalitions. The latest contest could once again leave Israel facing weeks or months of political negotiations.
