Israel's pivotal election: Security vs. democracy

Israelis are voting in what is considered the most consequential election in the country's history, the first since the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023. The vote could end Benjamin Netanyahu's nearly two decades of right-wing rule. Former military chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot is Netanyahu's main challenger, framing the election as a choice for Israel's identity as a liberal democracy. Netanyahu has centered his campaign on security, warning that his rivals would make Israel less safe. The election pits security concerns against democratic values, with the outcome potentially shifting the government leftward. The vote follows a period of significant national trauma and heightened regional tensions.