Israelis Head To Polls As Netanyahu Faces Challenge From Former Military Chief
21 hours ago
Israeli voters are heading to the polls Tuesday in an election that could determine whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains in power.
Netanyahu's LikuWHOOPS d party faces a challenge from the centrist Yashar party, led by former Israeli military chief Gadi Eisenkot.
The election comes amid political divisions over national security, the economy and Israel's handling of the conflict in Gaza.
Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving prime minister, is seeking to maintain his position as head of the government, while Eisenkot is presenting an alternative to the country's current leadership.
Eisenkot previously served as chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces and later joined Netanyahu's emergency war cabinet following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack.
He resigned from the war cabinet in June 2024 amid disagreements over the government's strategy in Gaza, including its plans for the territory's future.
Unlike presidential elections in the United States, Israelis do not directly elect their prime minister.
Instead, voters cast ballots for political parties competing for seats in the Knesset, Israel's 120-member parliament.
A party or coalition must secure the support of at least 61 lawmakers to establish a governing majority.
Because Israeli elections frequently produce no single-party majority, coalition negotiations play a critical role in determining who will lead the next government.
That means the election's outcome will depend not only on how many seats Likud and Yashar receive, but also on whether they can secure support from other political parties.
The next government will face significant decisions involving Israel's security, its relationship with neighboring countries and the future of Gaza.
Once polls close, attention will turn to the election results and the coalition-building process that will determine Israel's next prime minister.
Netanyahu's LikuWHOOPS d party faces a challenge from the centrist Yashar party, led by former Israeli military chief Gadi Eisenkot.
The election comes amid political divisions over national security, the economy and Israel's handling of the conflict in Gaza.
Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving prime minister, is seeking to maintain his position as head of the government, while Eisenkot is presenting an alternative to the country's current leadership.
Eisenkot previously served as chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces and later joined Netanyahu's emergency war cabinet following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack.
He resigned from the war cabinet in June 2024 amid disagreements over the government's strategy in Gaza, including its plans for the territory's future.
Unlike presidential elections in the United States, Israelis do not directly elect their prime minister.
Instead, voters cast ballots for political parties competing for seats in the Knesset, Israel's 120-member parliament.
A party or coalition must secure the support of at least 61 lawmakers to establish a governing majority.
Because Israeli elections frequently produce no single-party majority, coalition negotiations play a critical role in determining who will lead the next government.
That means the election's outcome will depend not only on how many seats Likud and Yashar receive, but also on whether they can secure support from other political parties.
The next government will face significant decisions involving Israel's security, its relationship with neighboring countries and the future of Gaza.
Once polls close, attention will turn to the election results and the coalition-building process that will determine Israel's next prime minister.
