Israeli elections

Israelis pass by campaign posters featuring Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Yashar Party leader, Gadi Eisenkot, near a polling station during Israel's general elections on October 27, 2026 in Hadera, Israel.

Breaking | Last Updated: October 27, 2026, 7:13 pm

Israel exit polls show Netanyahu, Eisenkot short of majority as Arab parties surge

Likud is projected to emerge as the largest party, but neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc nor the opposition appears able to secure a parliamentary majority.

Tents sheltering Palestinians displaced by the Hamas-Israeli war are pitched between the rubble of destroyed buildings in the Jabalia camp, northern Gaza Strip, Oct. 20, 2026.

Analysis

What Israel's election could mean for Palestinians in Gaza, West Bank

The ouster of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could provide Palestinians some relief, but is unlikely to improve their prospects for statehood.

By Rosaleen Carroll

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East

ADORA, WEST BANK - OCTOBER 27: Israeli children ride a bicycle and a scooter past an election campaign stand of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party on October 27, 2026 in the Israeli settlement of Adora, West Bank. Voting is underway to choose 120 members of the Knesset, which will determine the make-up of the government that succeeds incumbent Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing coalition. Around 500,000 Israeli settlers living in the occupied West Bank and are entitled to ca

Live Updates

Israel sees record voter turnout as Netanyahu faces crucial test

For the first time since the Oct. 7 Hamas-led attack, Israelis are heading to the polls in elections widely seen as crucial to the country’s future.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan receives Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Turkish House in New York, on Sept. 19, 2023.

Analysis

What’s at stake for Turkey as Israel heads to the polls?

Israel’s Oct. 27 election could offer a chance to ease tensions with Ankara, but competing ambitions in Syria and beyond threaten to push the two US allies toward a dangerous confrontation.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Latest News

Explainer

Netanyahu victory or another vote? 5 scenarios for Israel’s election

A bus bearing a campaign poster featuring Israeli Prime Minister and Likud party chairman Benjamin Netanyahu alongside US President Donald Trump drives through Jerusalem on October 26, 2026, on the eve of Israel's legislative elections. (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

How Israel’s elections could bring thaw with Syria

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrives for the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly gathering, UN Headquarters, New York, Sept. 22, 2026.

Ezgi Akin

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

Analysis

Corruption trial, ICC warrant: Why Netanyahu will stay in politics even if he loses

A print house worker produces a campaign poster showing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Mazal Mualem

By Mazal Mualem

In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics

What Netanyahu win or loss could mean for Israel’s economy

a large billboard featuring Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

JERUSALEM, ISRAEL - AUGUST 26: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to Israeli education minister Gideon Saar (R) as they arrive for the weekly cabinet meeting in his offices on August 26, 2012 in Jerusalem, Israel. (Photo by Uriel Sinai/Getty Images)

Netanyahu rival wins big in Likud primary

Despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's concentrated efforts to stifle Gideon Saar, the former minister has managed to win a top spot on the Likud’s list for the April 9 elections.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Interior Minister Aryeh Deri are seen at the end of a news conference at the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem April 2, 2018. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun - RC163EB70890

Israeli season of political mergers in full speed

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing for mergers between small parties, including the ultra-Orthodox parties, to prevent a loss of votes for the right-wing bloc.

Israeli-Arab parties in trouble

The withdrawal of Knesset member Ahmad Tibi from the Arab Joint List is confronting the already complicated alliance of factions with great difficulties.

The Gulf Cooperation Council's (GCC) Leaders are seen ahead of their Summit meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia December 9, 2018. Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY - RC1819A5F470

GCC states boxed in by US sanctions on Syria

The United States creates dilemmas for GCC in Syria; Qatar steps up with $500 million Lebanon investment; Netanyahu seeks Arab photo-op in Poland.

Gaza war takes center stage in Israel's election campaign

With former military chief of staff Benny Gantz soaring in pre-election polls, the conduct and results of Operation Protective Edge, the 2014 military campaign against Hamas in Gaza, is back on the public agenda.

Benny Gantz, a former Israeli armed forces chief and head of Israel Resilience party, delivers his first political speech at the party campaign launch in Tel Aviv, Israel January 29, 2019. REUTERS/Amir Cohen - RC1E3A6329C0

Netanyahu’s top rival, neither right nor left

Flattering comments in Israel's liberal press do not mean that premiership candidate Benny Gantz espouses left-wing positions.

A general view shows the concrete wall, part of Israel's controversial security barrier, which seperates the eastern neighbourhoods of Jerusalem from the West Bank town of Abu Dis (L) July 16, 2004.The U.N. General Assembly is drawing up a draft resolution demanding that Israel obey a World Court ruling and tear down its West Bank wall as Israeli Tourism Minister Gideon Ezra was quoted as saying that it should be turned into a must-see tourist attraction to help visitors understand the country's security pr

Gantz, peace and the West Bank landscape

Seeking regional peace, as presidential candidate Benny Gantz has pledged to do, will require revisiting not only the separation barrier but other Israeli alterations to the West Bank landscape in efforts to prime it for annexation.

Former IDF chief takes position as Netanyahu's top rival

In his well-rehearsed first speech former IDF chief Benny Gantz presented himself as the primary challenger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Benny Gantz, a former Israeli armed forces chief and head of Israel Resilience party, delivers his first political speech at the party campaign launch in Tel Aviv, Israel January 29, 2019. REUTERS/Amir Cohen - RC1F37BEDD60

Former generals join forces ahead of Israeli elections

In a recent speech, former IDF chief Benny Gantz announced himself as a viable alternative and worthy challenger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israeli Education Minister Naftali Bennett (R) and Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, from the Jewish Home party, deliver statements in Tel Aviv, Israel December 29, 2018. REUTERS/Corinna Kern - RC15EB02E090

Will the ultra-right seize control of religious Zionism in Israel?

With Naftali Bennett and Ayelet Shaked having left HaBayit HaYehudi to start a new party, ultra-right parties are angling to take control of Israel's religious Zionist movement.

Freed Palestinian prisoner Mohammed al-Bashiti, who served 12 years in an Israeli jail after he was convicted of being a member of Hamas' armed wing, is kissed by his aunt upon his release, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, July 25, 2016. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa - S1BETRQHDIAA

Hamas denies Arab media talk about new prisoner swap negotiations with Israel

Qatar’s Al-Araby al-Jadeed reported that talks between Israel and Hamas were renewed through European intermediaries, but the Islamic movement’s spokesman denies it.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (2nd L) and Cabinet Secretary Avichai Mandelblit (L) arrive to the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem November 16, 2014. REUTERS/Gali Tibbon/Pool (JERUSALEM - Tags: POLITICS) - GM1EABG1G1D01

Netanyahu’s archrival before elections: the attorney general

To save himself from an indictment before the April elections, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu argues that the political left is pressuring Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit to indict him.