Israelis Vote on Netanyahu's Future in Tight Election

Benjamin Netanyahu voted at a Jerusalem school on Tuesday morning, joining millions of Israelis at polling stations to decide his political future. He cast his ballot with his wife, Sara, just after noon. The election marks the first national vote in Israel since the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas and the subsequent war in Gaza.

Polling stations remained open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time. About 7.3 million citizens were eligible to cast ballots for the 120 seats in the Knesset. The race is expected to be tight, with polls suggesting neither the pro-Netanyahu coalition nor the opposition bloc may secure the 61 seats needed to form a government on their own.

Netanyahu’s coalition includes his Likud party, along with far-right and ultra-Orthodox groups. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir leads the Otzma Yehudit party, while Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich heads Religious Zionism-Zehut. These parties have gained support from younger right-wing voters with ultranationalist policies.

The opposition is led by former military chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot and his Yashar party. Eisenkot entered politics in 2022 and served in the emergency war cabinet after the October 7 attacks. He left his post in 2024 after losing a son in combat. His campaign highlights the deaths of two nephews in Gaza.

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and opposition leader Yair Lapid run on a joint ticket. They are joined by Yisrael Beiteinu, led by Avigdor Lieberman, and the Democrats, led by Yair Golan. Some polls indicate Eisenkot’s party may have a slight edge over Likud, but coalition building will be necessary.

U.S. President Donald Trump publicly endorsed Netanyahu days before the vote. In a late-night television appearance on October 25, Netanyahu said Trump was willing to take action to remove the Iranian threat if he stayed in power. Netanyahu stated he has instructed Mossad and the IDF to bring down the Iranian regime. Vice President J.D. Vance said he was not getting involved in the Israeli elections.

President Isaac Herzog voted in the Rehavia neighborhood of Jerusalem. He told reporters he hoped the day would be a holiday for democracy. No one can be allowed to spoil or undermine the process, he said. Herzog will be responsible for asking a candidate to form a government if the results allow for a clear path.

The election is a referendum on Netanyahu’s leadership amid uncertainty. He faces an international arrest warrant related to the Gaza campaign. Domestically, critics have demanded an inquiry into security failures on October 7, which resulted in over 1,200 deaths in Israel and the taking of around 250 hostages. Gaza’s health ministry reports more than 74,000 killed since the war began.

Public anger over ultra-Orthodox exemption from military service is also driving the vote. Less than 10% of eligible ultra-Orthodox men enlist, even as there is a shortage of soldiers. Eisenkot has promised to end these de facto exemptions. Netanyahu is also in the middle of a corruption trial, which he claims is politically motivated. He sought a presidential pardon from Herzog but did not receive one.

Local media are expected to broadcast exit polls after voting ends at 10 p.m. The final vote tally is expected by October 30, with official results published on November 4. No single party has ever won 61 seats, so coalition talks will likely take weeks or months. Smaller parties need 3.25% of the vote to secure a seat. If a coalition cannot be formed, the current government will serve as caretaker before new elections are held.