Israelis voted on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, in the country’s first national election since the Hamas-led attack of October 7, 2023. The Israel election is widely framed as a contest between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former army chief Gadi Eisenkot. Yet nobody votes for prime minister directly, so coalition talks will settle the outcome.
Key facts (as of October 2026)
- About 7.3 million citizens are eligible to vote, with voting stations opening at 7 a.m. and closing at 10 p.m. Israel time, TIME reported.
- A party needs 3.25% of the national vote to win seats, and a government needs at least 61 of the Knesset’s 120 members.
- Official results are due on November 4, according to TIME, but building a coalition could take weeks.
What is happening in the Israel election?
Voters are choosing parties, not people. Seats in the Knesset are shared out by proportional representation, so a party’s share of the vote decides roughly how many lawmakers it gets. After that, leaders bargain to put together a majority.
On one side is Netanyahu’s Likud. TIME lists its likely partners as the far-right Otzma Yehudi and Religious Zionism-Zehut lists, plus ultra-Orthodox parties. On the other side sit several opposition lists: Eisenkot’s new Yashar party, a joint ticket of Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, Avigdor Lieberman’s Yisrael Beiteinu and the Democrats under Yair Golan.
Two mainly Arab parties are also running, Ra’am and the Joint List. NPR reported that recent polls put Netanyahu behind Eisenkot. Even so, TIME noted that neither camp looked sure of reaching 61 seats.
Why does the Israel election matter for the US and Europe?
The result will shape how Israel handles its conflicts with Iran and in Gaza, and it will set the tone of its ties with Western governments. Both are live issues in Washington and across Europe.
Netanyahu has campaigned on his close relationship with President Trump, who endorsed him shortly before the vote, NPR and TIME reported. He has also put confronting Iran at the center of his pitch.
Eisenkot and his allies argue instead that Israel’s growing isolation abroad is hurting its economy and security. NPR also noted that pushes by some of Netanyahu’s far-right partners for annexing the West Bank have drawn sanctions from the UK and European governments.
What led to this vote?
The Knesset dissolved itself in July, close to the end of its four-year term. Since then, the campaign has centered on the aftermath of October 7. NPR put the toll of that attack at about 1,200 people killed and 251 taken hostage.
Several disputes run through the race:
- An inquiry into October 7. Netanyahu has resisted a state commission of inquiry. Eisenkot says he would set one up soon after taking office.
- Military service. Eisenkot wants to end broad draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men. Netanyahu relies on ultra-Orthodox parties and has opposed that change.
- The courts. Netanyahu’s earlier judicial overhaul set off mass protests. He is still on trial for corruption, which he calls a politically motivated case.
Eisenkot, 66, served as military chief of staff from 2015 to 2019, AFP reported. This is his first run for prime minister. His son Gal was killed while serving in Gaza.
How are the main camps positioning themselves?
Netanyahu points to Israel’s military gains over three years of war as proof that his approach works. By contrast, Eisenkot presents himself as a steadier, institution-minded alternative and has pledged not to serve in a government led by Netanyahu.
The Arab parties could become kingmakers. Ra’am, which joined a governing coalition in 2021, says it will work with Jewish-led parties in return for action on crime, housing and infrastructure, NPR reported. However, most large parties, Eisenkot’s included, have been reluctant to depend on Arab lawmakers.
On one point the two leading candidates agree. Neither backs a Palestinian state in the near future, according to NPR.
What happens next after the Israel election?
Exit polls are expected once voting ends at 10 p.m. in Israel, which is 8 p.m. GMT and 4 p.m. Eastern Time. TIME reported that a final count is expected by October 30, with official results on November 4. Once ballots were counted, neither bloc reached a majority, as our follow-up on the vote count and coalition talks explains.
President Isaac Herzog will then consult party leaders and ask the candidate with the best chance to form a government. That person gets up to 42 days, TIME said. If every attempt fails, the current government stays on as a caretaker until another election.
NPR outlined several paths: an opposition government leaning on Arab party support, a broad unity government, or a deadlock that forces a repeat vote next year.
How to follow live coverage
The main international channels are carrying exit polls and results through the night. Al Jazeera English and BBC News both offer official live streams, and Sky News covers results for UK viewers. In the US, CNN is a common choice. For regional reaction in Arabic, see our guide to Arabic news channels. More explainers sit in our Hot Topics section.
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Frequently asked questions
When will the Israel election results be known?
Exit polls come right after polls close at 10 p.m. local time. TIME reported that the count should be finished by October 30 and that official results are set for November 4.
Who is Gadi Eisenkot?
He is a former Israeli military chief of staff who now leads Yashar, a new center-right party. Recent polls have shown him as Netanyahu’s strongest challenger.
Can Netanyahu stay in office if Likud finishes second?
Yes. The prime minister is whoever can command 61 seats, not the leader of the largest party. If no one can, Netanyahu’s government would remain as a caretaker until a new vote.
