Israelis vote in tight race that could end Netanyahu’s Rule

Millions of Israelis began voting on Tuesday in the 2026 Israel election, a closely contested parliamentary race that could end Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s long rule. The vote comes amid demands for accountability over the security failures surrounding the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks and divisions over his wartime leadership.

What will the 2026 Israel election decide?

The election will determine the composition of Israel’s 120-seat Knesset, or parliament, and whether Netanyahu can remain in power. Pre-election polls showed a tight race between his right-wing Likud party and an opposition alliance led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot. Neither bloc has a clear path to a parliamentary majority.

Who is challenging Netanyahu in the Israel election?

Eisenkot, who leads the center-right Yashar party alongside other prominent security hawks, has emerged as Netanyahu’s main challenger. The opposition is seeking to unseat the longtime prime minister, whose political future has become a central issue in the campaign.

Netanyahu has campaigned on his wartime leadership experience and close relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump. Opposition leaders accuse his government of exploiting security fears while failing to accept responsibility for the intelligence and security lapses preceding the 2023 attacks.

What issues are driving Israeli voters?

National security, political accountability and the future direction of Israel’s military operations have dominated the campaign. The election is the first national vote since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks plunged the Middle East into prolonged conflict.

Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Tel Aviv ahead of the vote to demand independent judicial inquiries into the security failures. The campaign has exposed deep divisions over the government’s policies and its handling of the country’s multiple security challenges.

When will the Israel election results be announced?

Television exit polls are expected immediately after polling stations close at 10 p.m. local time Tuesday. The Central Elections Committee expects to compile the final vote tally by Oct. 30, while the official results are scheduled to be published on Nov. 4.

Could coalition talks determine who governs Israel?

The election result may not immediately settle who will lead the country. Israel’s proportional representation system requires parties to negotiate coalition agreements to secure a parliamentary majority, giving smaller religious nationalist parties and Arab-led lists a potentially decisive role.

If neither major bloc can assemble enough support, the country could face weeks of political negotiations. Netanyahu would remain caretaker prime minister while efforts to form a new government continued. Under Israel’s electoral system, the candidate nominated to form a government has up to 42 days to assemble a coalition.

Israel does not offer absentee voting for citizens living abroad, prompting some expatriates to buy plane tickets home to cast ballots. Their participation, along with the performance of smaller parties near the electoral threshold, could influence the final distribution of seats and the balance of power in parliament.