Israel's pivotal election may hinge on overseas voters

Israel holds its most critical election on Tuesday, the first since Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack, with a dead heat between blocs for and against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, potentially decided by an unexpected group. The vote centers on Netanyahu's handling of the attack and the state's future character—liberal and democratic versus authoritarian and religious—with controversial judicial reform proposals at stake. The opposition bloc is fragmented, lacking majority without support from two Arab parties. Historically high turnout is expected, including unprecedented participation from Israeli Arabs and roughly 60,000 overseas Israelis flying home to vote, a left-leaning group unrepresented in polls that could prove decisive.