Israelis head to polls as war shadows vote for Netanyahu

Voters across Israel cast their ballots on Tuesday in a national election that has become a direct test of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership. The vote follows the Hamas-led attack of October 7, 2023, and the subsequent wars that have reshaped the region. With polling stations closing at 10 p.m. in most areas, the outcome remains uncertain despite Netanyahu’s decades of political dominance.

The race is viewed as a referendum on the prime minister’s handling of security since the deadliest attack in Israeli history. Opinion polls indicate a tight contest with no clear winner. No single party has ever secured a majority in the 120-member Knesset, so parties are expected to form coalitions to govern. This process often takes weeks or months, leaving the country in a state of political flux while ballots are manually counted at each of the roughly 12,000 polling stations.

Gadi Eisenkot, the former military chief and Netanyahu’s top rival, campaigned in Ofakim on Tuesday. The southern community was among those struck by militants in 2023. Eisenkot’s visit aimed to highlight security failures and Netanyahu’s refusal to establish a state commission of inquiry. Eisenkot has a personal stake in the conflict, having lost his son and two nephews in combat in Gaza.

Sentiment at polling stations reflected deep divisions. In Kiryat Shmona, a stronghold for Netanyahu near the Lebanese border, one man tore down a poster of Eisenkot. In Tel Aviv, families of those killed on October 7, 2023, and former hostages held a moment of silence. Yona Adam, whose son Mapal was killed, asked voters to remember those who are no longer present. At a school in Jerusalem, voters cited security as their primary concern. Nisim Cohen, a reservist, stated that Netanyahu is not responsible for the initial attack and should continue the wars in Gaza, Lebanon, and with Iran until peace returns.

Eyal Sher, a volunteer for the civil society group Elections Guards, described the government as corrupt and motivated by a desire to stay in power. He emphasized the need to ensure procedures are intact during what he called a critical vote. According to Israel’s Central Election Committee, more than 7.3 million citizens are eligible to vote. This includes about 330,000 young Israelis who have spent their high school years in the shadow of war.

Netanyahu, 77, has dominated Israeli politics for nearly two decades. A poor performance could end his career on a bitter note, while a victory would cement his status as a political survivor. U.S. President Donald Trump endorsed Netanyahu earlier this month. However, the late timing of the endorsement was a setback for the Likud leader, who had previously touted his close relationship with the American president as a key asset for reelection.

The campaign focused heavily on Netanyahu’s role in the October 7 security breakdown. Candidates also debated his efforts to exempt ultra-Orthodox Jews from military service and a 2023 judicial overhaul that critics viewed as an assault on democratic institutions. There was little debate over Israel’s wartime conduct in Gaza, which has led to an international arrest warrant for the prime minister. Israel’s occupation of parts of southern Lebanon and Syria, along with its wars against Iran, continues to enjoy broad support among the public.