JERUSALEM – Israel is preparing for parliamentary elections, which will be held on October 27, 2026. Voters will decide who fills all 120 seats in the Knesset. The election will be closely watched not only due to domestic politics but also due to the security situation and ongoing disputes about the country's direction following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. The elections represent a significant moment for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing Likud party. After a politically turbulent period, Netanyahu will be seeking another term in office, while his main rivals are striving to create a broader alternative to the current governing coalition.
One of the most prominent new political forces is Yashar!, led by former Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces, Gadi Eisenkot. The party has gained significant momentum in recent months and, according to some polls, has surpassed Likud. One July poll gave it 24 seats compared to 23 for Likud. Eisenkot thus represents one of the most serious political challenges for Netanyahu. His advantage lies primarily in his security profile and experience leading the Israeli military. At the same time, he is trying to appeal to voters who are looking for an alternative to the current political leadership, without abandoning a focus on the state's security.
Another significant force is the centrist formation Beyachad (Together), which was formed by combining the political projects of former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid. Both politicians are trying to create a broader center-left alternative that could play a key role in forming a new government after the elections. The Israeli electoral system is based on proportional representation. 120 seats are distributed among political parties, and parties must receive at least 3.25% of the vote to enter parliament. To form a majority government, support from at least 61 members of parliament is then required.
Post-election coalitions are therefore just as important as the winner of the election itself. Current polls do not indicate that any of the main political blocs will have a guaranteed parliamentary majority. Therefore, smaller parties and the ability of individual camps to form a viable coalition may decide the outcome. The elections will also be the first nationwide parliamentary vote since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Security, war, relations with Palestinians, military service, the economy, and the future direction of Israeli society will therefore be among the main themes of the campaign. The significance of the elections extends beyond Israel's borders.
The outcome can influence Israeli policy towards Palestinians, relations with the United States, and further developments in the Middle East. For Netanyahu, it will also be a test of his ability to maintain political support after years of crises and military conflicts. On October 27, Israel awaits a vote that could decide not only the composition of the 26th Knesset but also whether Benjamin Netanyahu will remain the dominant figure in Israeli politics or whether the country will enter a new political era.
gnews.cz - Jan Vojtěch