Israelis surged to the polls Tuesday at a pace that shattered records, to pass wartime judgment on PM Benjamin Netanyahu in what voters described as the most consequential election in the nation’s history. Long queues formed outside polling stations for the first election since the Oct 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks, with voters engaged over the trauma of the country’s deadliest day and the ensuing wars in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran.The Central Elections Committee reported that 66.7% of eligible voters had already cast their ballots within the first nine hours of voting, a record by that point in the day with six more hours to go.Policies of Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition have been divisive at home and have deepened Israel’s international isolation, while he has defended his record, calling himself the only leader with the mettle to face down Israel’s foes. Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving leader with 19 years in office, is an unmatched political survivor, and his nationalist politics are increasingly entrenched. Israel’s fragmented system makes it difficult for an array of opponents to force out his coalition of right-wing, far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties.His main rival Gadi Eisenkot, a military ex-chief of staff and security hawk, aims to unseat him with the support of parties on the right and centre, as well as the rump of an increasingly marginalised left. Opinion polls show a close race.
In a message to supporters, Netanyahu urged them to vote, saying turnout was high among his opponents on the left and among Israelis of Arab heritage, around a fifth of the country. “We need it to be high too. You all need to stream to the polls,” he said. “This is a fateful moment.”Voter sees election as ‘most important of all ones’“I think these elections are the most important of all the ones I’ve known,” said Ruth Epstein, an 81-year-old longtime left-wing voter in Ramat Gan near Tel Aviv, who voted for the opposition Democrats. “I’m really scared about what will be here.”Netanyahu has campaigned on an endorsement from US President Trump, his ally in war against Iran, who has said they should “finish the job”. If neither Netanyahu nor Eisenkot can form a governing coalition in the 120-seat parliament, Netanyahu could stay on as caretaker until another election is held. His opponents have managed to wrest him from the premiership only once since 2009, and that took four inconclusive elections in two years. He was back 18 months later.
Eisenkot sees ‘new spirit’
For many of Netanyahu’s opponents, the election turns on accountability for the security failures of Oct 7. Opposition groups have promised to hold a national inquiry, which Netanyahu’s govt has resisted. “I am convinced that by the end of today, we will see a change — a new spirit for the State of Israel — that will serve as a rectification for the past three years and for that terrible day,” Eisenkot said.Eisenkot says Israel’s response was a failure because Hamas remains in charge. He repeated his commitment to dismantle or destroy Hamas’ military and governing power in Gaza within 18 months of forming a govt.
Arab turnout a key
Ahmed Tibi, a candidate from an Arab party, said the record turnout from Israel’s Arab minority would “pave the way for an alternative govt and change the grave reality”. Eisenkot has ruled out partnering with Arab parties, citing a lack of shared values, although some possible scenarios envision them propping up a minority govt to topple Netanyahu. Netanyahu has repeatedly described Arab-Israeli voters as a threat in language his opponents say crosses into racism.Like nearly all Jewish party leaders in Israel, Eisenkot opposes the two-state solution that once underpinned decades of peace negotiations with the Palestinians. But he has criticised Jewish settler violence against Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, which has surged since 2023 and strained Israel’s ties with Western states. And he opposes Netanyahu’s far-right coalition partners.
