Israel election: Disenchanted Netanyahu supporters could decide tight race

Israel holds its first election since Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu facing declining support and a tight race against centrist rival Gadi Eisenkot. Disenchanted Likud voters in Dimona are campaigning for change. Opinion polls predict Netanyahu's coalition losing its majority, with only 55% of 2022 Likud voters planning to repeat their vote. Eisenkot, a former military chief of staff of Mizrahi descent, appeals to traditional Likud voters through his security credentials and personal story. About 13% of Israeli voters remain undecided, making wavering Likud supporters the key prize. Netanyahu retains a loyal base, but some voters cite his age and the October 7 security failure as reasons for seeking new leadership.