Israelis vote in a tight election as Netanyahu faces Eisenkot

Israelis are voting Tuesday in the first national election since the Oct. 7, 2023, attack. More than 7 million people are eligible, and 36 lists are competing for the 120 Knesset seats; 61 are needed for a majority. Polls show a tight race between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc and parties led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, with neither side projected to win a majority on its own. Polls close at 10 p.m. local time (3 p.m. CT), when exit polls are released; official results are due Nov. 4.

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Why it matters

The vote decides who leads Israel after three years of war. Neither bloc is projected to win the 61 seats needed for a majority on its own, which could mean weeks of coalition talks before a government is formed.

What to watch

Polls close at 10 p.m. Israel time (3 p.m. CT) Tuesday, when exit polls are released; official results are due November 4.

How each side sees it

Netanyahu's supporters sayHe is a steady hand who guided Israel through multiple wars; allies warn a loss would bring a government reliant on Arab-led parties.

Eisenkot and his allies sayThe government has not taken responsibility for Oct. 7; they vow to improve Israel's international standing, conscript ultra-Orthodox men and strengthen judicial independence.

Sources

Checked against 3 established news sources:

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Published Tuesday, October 27, 2026. Spot an error? Email [email protected]. See our corrections log and standards.