Israelis Vote as Netanyahu Faces Tough Test After October 7

Israel – (Special Correspondent/Web Desk) – Israelis vote on Tuesday in an election that will test public trust in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The race comes after the security failures of October 7, 2023, and the wars that followed.

Polls open at 7am and close at 10pm local time. Opinion polls show a close contest between Netanyahu’s Likud party and an alliance led by Gadi Eisenkot.

Netanyahu has served 19 years in office, longer than any other Israeli leader. He is campaigning on his wartime leadership and his close bond with US President Donald Trump.

Trump has endorsed him. Netanyahu said Trump is ready to act again against Iran, but only if he stays in power.

Eisenkot is a former military chief of staff. He accuses Netanyahu of using fear and threats to win votes. He says Trump would work with any leader Israelis choose.

For many opponents, the vote is about accountability. They want a national inquiry into the failures of October 7, which was Israel’s deadliest day.

Mali Hajaj, an Eisenkot supporter, said an inquiry is where healing will begin. Nof Gabay, an 18-year-old Likud supporter, disagreed. He called Netanyahu the right man for the country.

The war record is also in focus. Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages on October 7. Gaza health authorities say Israeli attacks have killed 74,000 people.

Neither side has a clear path to power in the 120-seat parliament. Netanyahu may again need far-right allies Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich to form a government.

Turnout among Arab citizens could shift the balance. Eisenkot has ruled out partnering with Arab parties, but analysts see a possible scenario where they back a minority government.

If no one builds a coalition, Netanyahu could stay on as caretaker until another election next year. Analyst Amotz Asa-El expects only a slight majority, with no landslide.