Israel’s election puts Netanyahu’s record and coalition prospects in focus

Israel votes Tuesday in its first national election since the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack. Benjamin Netanyahu faces a challenge from former army chief Gadi Eisenkot, with accountability, military exemptions and coalition-building central to the contest.

• Tuesday’s vote is Israel’s first national election since the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack. Netanyahu’s responsibility for the security failures is a central campaign issue.· 2 sources
• Netanyahu’s main challenger, former army chief Gadi Eisenkot, has pledged to end military-service exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men. Netanyahu’s coalition partners seek to preserve them.· 2 sources
• Most polls described by the Guardian show Netanyahu’s coalition losing its majority. Opposition parties are divided over cooperation with parties representing Palestinian citizens of Israel, complicating the formation of an alternative government.· 1 source
• Euronews reports that the conduct of Israel’s wars and their economic costs have received little campaign debate. It says the main blocs also have limited differences over settlements and Palestinian statehood.· 1 source
• A majority requires 61 of the Knesset’s 120 seats. Two small parties polling near the 3.25% electoral threshold could affect coalition options, and a close result could require more than a day of counting.· 1 source