Israel election 2026: Netanyahu's rivals, key parties, and what's at stake

Israelis vote Tuesday in a closely contested general election, with final polls projecting neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition nor the opposition will secure the 61 Knesset seats needed for a majority, potentially creating a deadlock. The election tests public confidence in Netanyahu's leadership after the three-year Gaza war following the October 7, 2023 attack. Channel 13 projects 54 seats for the opposition bloc versus 50 for Netanyahu's coalition, while Channel 12 projects 56 versus 50, with Arab-led parties holding 14-16 seats. Former military chief Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party has emerged as a leading opposition contender, focusing on accountability, military-service equality, and domestic costs. Smaller parties could prove decisive in government formation, with Arab-led parties potentially playing a key role. The ultra-Orthodox military-service exemption is a major domestic issue. Possible outcomes include Netanyahu retaining power, an opposition-led government, or a unity arrangement, with exit polls expected after voting concludes October 27.