Israelis turned out in record numbers on Tuesday to vote in a closely contested election that could determine the political future of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister with 19 years in office, has defended his record, calling himself the only leader with the mettle to face down Israel’s foes. However, his right-wing coalition has faced criticism over security failures, its policies towards Palestinians and Israel’s growing international isolation.
Opinion polls have indicated a close contest, with neither side having a clear path to securing a governing majority in Israel’s 120-seat parliament. Despite Netanyahu’s political resilience, opponents have focused their campaign on accountability for the security failures surrounding the October 7 attacks. His opponents have succeeded in removing him from office only once since 2009, after four inconclusive elections over two years. But he returned to power 18 months later.
The country’s fragmented political system means that forming a coalition could prove as challenging as winning the election itself. Netanyahu urged his supporters to turn out in large numbers, warning that high participation among opposition voters and Israelis of Arab heritage could affect the result. Opposition groups have pledged to establish a national inquiry, a move resisted by Netanyahu’s government. Meanwhile, Itamar Ben-Gvir, the far-right national security minister and leader of a party in Netanyahu’s coalition, predicted that Netanyahu would return to office. Ben-Gvir cast his ballot in the Kiryat Arba settlement in the occupied West Bank. If neither Netanyahu nor Eisenkot can assemble a governing coalition, Netanyahu could remain as caretaker prime minister until another election is held.
“You all need to stream to the polls,” he said, adding, “This is a fateful moment. The prime minister has also highlighted his relationship with US President Donald Trump, who has backed Israel’s military campaign against Iran and called for the country to “finish the job”.
