Israel's 2026 Election Field Takes Shape as Candidate Lists Close

With the deadline for submitting candidate lists for the 2026 Israeli elections passing, 38 parties have officially declared their slates, revealing the key players vying for seats in the upcoming Knesset. Political correspondent Daphna Liel provided an in-depth analysis, party by party, detailing who made the cut, surprising placements, behind-the-scenes maneuvering, and each party's prospects.

The final hours before the submission deadline were particularly intense. In the Likud party, Benjamin Netanyahu delayed announcing his reserved spots until the last moment. In the Religious Zionism party, an alliance with Ofir Winter's party failed to materialize. United Torah Judaism experienced significant upheaval, with Moshe Gafni and Uri Maklev being removed from their positions.

Benny Gantz's list was finalized following a series of departures. Meanwhile, Gantz's National Unity party, along with the new lists presented by Izchak Rabin and Bennett-Lapid, aim to reshape the political center. Several smaller parties remain on the fringes, hoping to overcome the electoral threshold and potentially alter the overall political landscape if they succeed.