Eisenkot Challenges Netanyahu as First Post-October 7 Israeli Elections Begin
Voting has begun in Israel's Knesset election, with polls indicating neither the incumbent nor the opposition can form a majority without third-party support.
By Fatima Davis ·
Benjamin Netanyahu faces Gadi Eisenkot in a high-stakes contest for the Israeli prime ministership as polls open for the first parliamentary election since the attacks of October 7, 2023. The two leaders represent opposing camps, with Netanyahu seeking to extend his tenure as the country’s longest-serving premier and Eisenkot aiming to displace him from power.
Voting stations opened at 7:00 a.m. local time and will close at 10:00 p.m. A total of 36 electoral lists are competing for 120 seats in the Knesset. The current government, formed by a coalition of right-wing, far-right, and ultra-Orthodox parties, took office in December 2022. It became the first Israeli cabinet since 1988 to complete a full four-year term.
Recent polling suggests Netanyahu’s bloc may struggle to reach the 61 seats required for a parliamentary majority, with projections placing it at approximately 50 seats. Eisenkot, the former military chief leading the Yashar party, has emerged as the primary challenger. Polls currently place his party ahead of Netanyahu’s Likud party, though neither side is projected to secure a majority on its own.
The outcome may hinge on the performance of Palestinian-led parties, which are projected to win between 14 and 16 seats combined. Both main political camps have ruled out including these parties in a governing coalition, potentially leaving them with leverage in government formation negotiations. Palestinian citizens of Israel constitute about 18 percent of eligible voters, totaling approximately 1.17 million people.
Early reports from Palestinian-majority towns indicate high voter turnout, according to the Arab48 news outlet. Pollsters suggest that if turnout among this demographic rises to 60 to 70 percent, up from 53 percent in the previous election, it could help the Ra’am and Joint List parties achieve their projected seat ranges.
Israeli television channels are scheduled to broadcast exit polls as voting concludes. Unofficial results are expected overnight, while the full count is due by October 30. Official results will be announced on November 4.
Source: Middle East Eye
