Israel heads to close national election following years of regional war

Israel is heading into a pivotal general election on Tuesday, with the governing coalition and the primary opposition bloc running virtually neck-and-neck in final polling. The contest marks the country's first national ballot since the Hamas-led attacks on 7 October 2023, following three years of regional conflict.

Surveys released on Friday indicate that the race is too close to call, with fewer than 10% of voters still undecided. Around 70,000 citizens are reportedly traveling from overseas specifically to take part, alongside half a million people eligible to vote for the first time. On Saturday, large crowds gathered in central Tel Aviv to rally against the current administration and urge a political change.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a major challenge from Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief of staff who leads the centrist Yashar party. In several recent surveys, Eisenkot's faction has narrowly overtaken Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party. Known for a calm, low-profile manner, Eisenkot lost his son during the conflict in Gaza and has built support by portraying himself as an outsider grounded outside the country's wealthy urban elite.

Speaking at a community gathering in Ramle, Eisenkot emphasized that the contest touches directly on the fundamental identity of the country, arguing for a democratic, tolerant, and egalitarian nation. To draw voters across ideological divides, Eisenkot has pledged to establish a formal state commission of inquiry into the failures surrounding the 7 October assault. He has also committed to enforcing legal rulings that require ultra-Orthodox citizens to serve in the armed forces.

Netanyahu has countered with a campaign built around national security and his central slogan, "No Surrender." Defending his tenure, the prime minister maintains that military operations across Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran have weakened threats to the country. He has accused his rivals of being weak on defense matters and warned that an opposition majority could rely on support from Arab political factions, whose broader community makes up roughly one-fifth of the population.

Despite Netanyahu's long-standing dominance, his political coalition faces pressure from multiple directions. While some moderates have moved toward centrist opposition candidates, other right-wing voters have shifted further toward hardline factions. In border communities such as Sderot, some former Likud supporters report backing the Jewish Power party led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, whose outreach has resonated notably among younger Israelis and first-time voters.