Politics · Germany · 7 hrs ago
Israel election could end Netanyahu’s long period in power
Israelis vote on Tuesday in a parliamentary election that could end Benjamin Netanyahu’s long period in power.
Opposition parties blame the prime minister for failing to heed warnings before Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack and for not taking personal responsibility for security failures.
US President Donald Trump has endorsed Netanyahu, but polls suggest his governing bloc could win only 48 seats, below the 61 needed for a majority.
Netanyahu’s main challenger is former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, whose party could become the largest but may also lack enough seats to govern.
The candidates differ most over the West Bank: Netanyahu’s government has expanded settlements, while Eisenkot opposes annexation and says he would act against illegal settlement outposts and violent Jewish extremists.
On Iran and Gaza, they share some positions, including opposing a Palestinian state and demanding Hamas’s disarmament, but differ on whether military force could bring regime change in Iran.
The election result may not settle who governs: coalition talks could take a long time, and another election is possible.
Israel is due to hold parliamentary elections on Tuesday, October 27, with Benjamin Netanyahu facing a possible end to his long period in power.
Netanyahu’s opponents accuse him of ignoring warnings before Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack and failing to accept personal responsibility for government and security failures.
A Maariv poll published Friday put parties in Netanyahu’s governing bloc at 48 seats, short of the 61 needed for a majority.
Netanyahu and his main challenger, former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, share positions on several security issues but differ over the West Bank.
Even if Netanyahu loses office, coalition talks could be prolonged, and the article says new elections are possible.
- Who
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his main challenger, Gadi Eisenkot, are competing for leadership.
- What
- Israel is holding parliamentary elections that could end Netanyahu’s long period in power.
- When
- Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
- Where
- Israel.
- Why
- Voters are choosing a parliament and determining who will lead the country; Netanyahu’s opponents criticize his handling of warnings before the October 7, 2023 attack and his failure to accept personal responsibility.
Netanyahu and his governing bloc
Netanyahu’s opposition
Leadership and responsibility
Netanyahu and his governing bloc
Netanyahu is seeking to remain in power, and US President Donald Trump endorsed him.
Netanyahu’s opposition
Netanyahu’s opponents accuse him of ignoring warnings before the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack and not accepting personal responsibility for government and security failures.
West Bank
Netanyahu and his governing bloc
Netanyahu’s government has advanced settlement expansion; his far-right coalition partners call for annexation.
Netanyahu’s opposition
Eisenkot rejects annexation and wants tougher action against illegal settlement outposts and violent Jewish extremists.
Hamas carried out an attack on Israel, which Netanyahu’s opponents say he had been warned about.
US President Donald Trump endorsed Netanyahu.
A Lazar Research poll for Maariv projected 48 seats for parties in Netanyahu’s governing bloc.
Israel is due to hold parliamentary elections.
- Election date
- October 27, 2026
- Majority threshold
- 61 seats
- Netanyahu bloc in Maariv poll
- 48 seats
- Main challenger
- Gadi Eisenkot
- Eisenkot’s party
- Yashar!
What people are saying
a great prime minister and warrior and an even greater partner for peace in the fight against the Islamic Republic of Iran
Trump's endorsement could bring Netanyahu an additional seat in parliament
Six or seven months ago it would have achieved considerably more