Israel votes as Netanyahu faces close challenge from Eisenkot

Israelis began voting Tuesday in the country’s first parliamentary election since the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu facing a close challenge from former military chief Gadi Eisenkot.

Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. local time and were scheduled to close at 10 p.m. Voters are choosing party lists for the 120-seat Knesset, where 61 seats are needed to form a government. Pre-election surveys indicated that neither Netanyahu’s bloc of right-wing, far-right and religious parties nor the opposition was likely to secure a majority, making coalition negotiations decisive.

Eisenkot’s Yashar party led Likud in some polls. He campaigned on promises to unite the country, take responsibility for government failures and establish a state commission of inquiry into the October 7 attack. His campaign also emphasized his Moroccan Jewish heritage in traditionally Likud-supporting communities such as Sderot.

Netanyahu stressed his security record and portrayed Eisenkot as weak on Iran. U.S. President Donald Trump endorsed Netanyahu on Sunday, citing their countries’ joint military campaign against Iran.

Arab-led parties were projected to win a potentially influential bloc of seats, although both main camps have ruled out including them in a governing coalition. Exit polls were expected after voting ended, with unofficial results due overnight and the full count expected by October 30.