Israelis Vote in Pivotal Election Amid Security Crisis

An unprecedented 70,000 citizens flew home from abroad to cast their votes. The Israeli Knesset holds 120 seats.

Neither Netanyahu's nor Eisenkot's political blocs project to win the 61 seats needed to form a majority government. Israel's proportional representation system means governments have always formed through coalitions.

Netanyahu has long resisted an independent commission of inquiry into the 7 October attacks, insisting it would be biased against him. He once again frames himself as "Mr Security."

Netanyahu denied reports that he pushed for last-minute military action that could trigger a confrontation with Iran before the elections. He also denied reports that he tried to persuade Trump to carry out new strikes on Iran.

He posted an AI-generated image of a nuclear bomb hitting Tel Aviv, warning that he is the only leader who can protect Israel "if the Iranians acquire nuclear weapons." His government has failed to enforce a Supreme Court ruling that ultra-Orthodox Jewish men in full-time religious study should be conscripted to the military.

Gadi Eisenkot's son and two nephews died in Gaza.

Eisenkot largely supports Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Eisenkot takes a broadly similar position to Netanyahu on Gaza, pledging to end Hamas rule in the territory within 18 months. He spoke about creating the conditions for "autonomy or a state-minus" for Palestinians — under ultimate Israeli security control.

Avigdor Lieberman has ruled out joining an arrangement where Arab parties informally prop up an Eisenkot-led minority government.