Israeli Election Tests Netanyahu's Leadership After Oct. 7

Israelis vote Tuesday in the first national election since Hamas's Oct. 7, 2023, attack, widely seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership. The campaign focuses on his moral character and role in the security breakdown, not wartime conduct in Gaza. Around 68% of Jewish Israelis say Oct. 7 is a central voting factor, with Netanyahu shifting blame to security officials while critics accuse him of blocking an inquiry. Military service exemptions for ultra-Orthodox Jews and his 2023 judicial overhaul also remain divisive issues. No major candidate advocates returning to the peace process, and both main blocs support West Bank settlements. The economy and cost of living are top concerns for many voters, though candidates have not made them central campaign issues.