Israel's post-October 7 election tests Netanyahu's grip on power

Israel will hold its first post-October 7 election on October 27, where Benjamin Netanyahu faces his strongest challenge yet, but coalition arithmetic could still keep him in power. Netanyahu’s security credibility was damaged by the October 7 attack, and trust has not recovered. Challengers Gadi Eisenkot, a Bennett-Lapid alliance, and Avigdor Lieberman lead opposition, yet Jewish opposition parties remain roughly three seats short of a governing majority. Israel’s proportional parliamentary system rarely produces majority governments, giving small parties outsized influence. Key campaign issues include an October 7 inquiry, ultra-Orthodox draft exemptions, living costs, and judicial reform, with candidate lists unsettled until September.