On October 27, parliamentary elections will be held in Israel, which could end Benjamin Netanyahu's nearly 19-year tenure. The Prime Minister's main competitor is former Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot. According to polls, the ruling camp may not receive enough votes to form a majority in the parliament.
Opponents blame Netanyahu for his government's failure to heed warnings prior to the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack and for not taking responsibility for security service failures. Critics point to Israel's international isolation. At the same time, the Prime Minister continues to have an influential ally — U.S. President Donald Trump, who has publicly called to vote in favor of Netanyahu.
On security issues, the two main contenders have largely matching positions. Both consider military strikes an acceptable measure to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, demand the disarmament of Hamas, and oppose the establishment of a Palestinian state. However, Eisenkot considers an attempt to topple the Iranian regime by military force unrealistic.
Even if Eisenkot's party receives more votes, that does not guarantee him the prime ministership. To form a government, a majority of at least 61 mandates out of the 120-seat Knesset is required. According to polls, none of the main political camps currently has a reliable path to such a majority. Therefore, Israel may face prolonged coalition negotiations or even new elections following the polls, writes Bild.
