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Israel heads into deeply divided election as Oct. 7 reckoning looms: What to know
Confirmed
In Short: Israel is holding a pivotal election on Tuesday, with voters facing a deeply divided political landscape that could reshape the country's future.
Israel is holding a pivotal election on Tuesday, with voters facing a deeply divided political landscape that could reshape the country's future. The election comes amid ongoing tensions and conflicts, including the aftermath of the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack and the continuing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
According to Al Jazeera, the entire Israeli political system operates within the framework of Jewish supremacy, which has dampened expectations for meaningful improvements in the lives of Palestinians. Deadly attacks continue in Gaza despite a year-long ceasefire, while settler violence and Israeli army raids have intensified in the occupied West Bank.
Yossi Mekelberg, a senior fellow at Chatham House, told Al Jazeera that the decision facing Israel is whether to retain a Netanyahu-led government or move towards a functioning democracy. He noted that the choice is between maintaining the occupation of the West Bank or annexing it entirely, with some figures within the government suggesting a 'voluntary migration' of the population.
Ahron Bregman, an Israeli analyst and senior teaching fellow at King’s College London, said that if Netanyahu loses the election and Gadi Eisenkot becomes the new prime minister, the main initial change will be the atmosphere. 'Those who admire Netanyahu regard him as God, while those who hate him hate him deeply,' Bregman added.
Polling data suggests that none of the main parties is expected to win a 61-seat majority in the Knesset, leading to potential political deadlock. The highest turnout since 1981 is expected, reflecting the significance of the election for many Israelis.
The Guardian reported that Palestinians in Gaza are bracing for an outcome that could shape their future, knowing their fate rests with the country that has reduced much of the territory to rubble and killed nearly 75,000 people. The election could further impact the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Despite the tensions, Israel has ordered the military to demolish homes after soldiers were killed, highlighting the ongoing security concerns. Meanwhile, reports suggest that Netanyahu pushed for a fresh military attack on Iran before the election, but faced resistance from senior military commanders.
Defence Minister Israel Katz insisted that there was complete coordination between political leaders and the military, dismissing claims of differences over Iran as 'entirely baseless and false'.
Background
On October 27, Israelis will head to the polls in an election that could reshape the country's future, with Benjamin Netanyahu seeking another term despite corruption charges, according to Al Jazeera (Qatar) and Haaretz (Israel).
What's confirmed
- The demonstration took place at Hostages Square, three days before Israel’s general election, the first since the war on Gaza began.
What's still developing
- Israel is heading to the polls on Tuesday in a closely contested election that is being described as one of the most important in its history.
- “None of the leaders who present themselves as an alternative to Netanyahu can genuinely be described as left-wing. The horrifying reality we are witnessing is not simply the product of Netanyahu or the far right. It is rooted in Zionist political thought itself, which is structured around the principle of Jewish supremacy. There is no way around this fundamental fact,” he said.
- Polling published on Friday suggests Gadi Eisenkot (left) is in a tight race with incumbent Benjamin Netanyahu (right) Turnout in Israel's election is reportedly at its highest since 1981, as Israelis vote in what many view as one of the most pivotal elections in the country's history.
- TEL AVIV, Israel — Israel is holding pivotal elections on Tuesday in what many Israelis call the most consequential vote in their country's history after the last few years of war.
- Most polling shows prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition will lose its majority, with Gadi Eisenkot the leading opposition contender What you need to know about Israel’s election Most polling shows prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition will lose its majority, with Gadi Eisenkot the leading opposition contender What you need to know about Israel’s election Hello and welcome to our coverage of the Israeli elections.
- After the devastating Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attack, successive multifront wars, deepening political polarization and growing international isolation, Israelis are heading to the polls for an election with profound implications for the country’s future.
- President Trump endorsed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of Israel’s October 27 parliamentary elections.
- He recently said on social media he would not hit Iran again before the Nov. 3 midterm elections.
- Israel uses proportional representation to elect 120 members to the Knesset, although no single party since the nation was founded in 1948 has won a 61-seat majority.
- According to Newsmax, Vance told journalist Mark Halperin that he would not get involved in Israel’s election, explaining that his focus is on the Nov. 3 U.S. midterm elections.