not everywhere· Politics· Updated 11:24

Israelis Vote in Pivotal Knesset Election Amid Security Concerns

Israelis are voting on Tuesday in a pivotal election for the 26th Knesset, the first national vote held since the October 7, 2023, Hamas terror attack. Over 7.3 million citizens are eligible to cast ballots across 12,018 polling stations nationwide, with at least 35 parties competing. Polling stations opened at 7:00 a.m. and are scheduled to close at 10:00 p.m., with final results expected to be announced by November 4.

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Israelis Vote in Pivotal Knesset Election Amid Security Concerns — Illustration by baba

What happened

01Israelis are voting on Tuesday in the first Knesset election since the October 7, 2023, Hamas terror attack.
02Over 7.3 million citizens are eligible to vote at 12,018 polling stations, with final results due by November 4.
03Approximately 20,000 police and security forces are deployed nationwide to maintain public order during the vote.
04Cyber police are operating on a 24/7 basis due to a rise in deepfakes preceding the elections.
05Pre-election polls show a tight race, with neither Netanyahu's bloc nor the opposition projected to win a clear majority.
06Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, has ruled out serving in any government under Prime Minister Netanyahu.
07Key campaign issues include the IDF manpower crisis, ultra-Orthodox conscription, and accountability for the October 7 attacks.

Key political figures, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman, and Democratic Party chairman Yair Golan, were among the first to cast their ballots. The election is taking place amid deep societal divisions and intense security concerns. Approximately 20,000 police and security forces have been deployed nationwide to maintain public order, while cyber police are operating on a 24/7 basis to counter a rise in deepfakes.

The political landscape is highly polarized, with the campaign dominated by the IDF's manpower crisis, the conscription of ultra-Orthodox men, and demands for a state commission of inquiry into the October 7 attacks. Pre-election polls indicate a very tight race between Netanyahu's bloc and the opposition, with neither side projected to secure the 61-seat Knesset majority alone. Former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, leading the Yashar party, has ruled out serving under Netanyahu, raising the prospect of complex coalition negotiations or continued political instability.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 6 newsrooms. Updated 11:46

Latest report: The Jerusalem Post. Read The Jerusalem Post’s original