Israel Votes in First Election Since 7 Oct Attacks

28-Oct-2026

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Israel held its first parliamentary election since the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attacks, marking a critical test for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Likud party. Voter turnout has surged to record levels, surpassing benchmarks from 1973 and 1988 with 45 percent casting ballots by mid-afternoon. 

Centrist rivals and opposition parties, including Yesh Atid, are challenging the coalition government amid sharp divides over national security, the war in West Asia, corruption, and the rising cost of living. With 120 seats in the Knesset and a requirement of 61 seats to form a government under Israel's proportional representation system, neither camp is guaranteed an outright majority. 

Prolonged coalition negotiations are anticipated once counting concludes. Observers note the election carries major geopolitical ramifications, including for US President Donald Trump's administration, as preliminary exit polls and ballot counting prepare to determine whether Netanyahu retains power or faces political defeat.