Netanyahu's Likud stronghold shows cracks as Israel votes

Israel holds elections Tuesday with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party facing potential losses in its longtime stronghold of Kiryat Shmona, where voter disillusionment over broken promises and war fatigue could prove decisive in a tightly contested race. Surveys show Netanyahu's bloc and rival Gadi Eisenkot's camp are effectively tied, with support for Netanyahu dropping from 29 percent before the 2022 election to 17 percent this month. Residents cite the 2023 Hezbollah bombardment, evacuation, and a March ceasefire breach during the Iran war as key factors eroding trust. Frustrated Likud voters may shift to far-right parties like Otzma Yehudit, while some, including candidate Nissan Zeevi, back opposition Beyachad. Critics also point to Netanyahu's son avoiding military service, deepening perceptions of abandonment in the north.