Politics · 2026-10-27 · Morning briefing
Israelis vote in first election since October 7th attack
Israelis went to the polls on Tuesday for their first national election since the Hamas attack of October 7th, 2023. Over 7 million people are eligible to vote in a contest seen as a crucial test of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership. Opinion polls have suggested a tight race between Mr. Netanyahu and his main rival, the former military chief Gadi Eisenkot.
The electorate includes around 330,000 young Israelis casting their first ballot, many of whom face compulsory military service amid the country's unresolved wars. The vote is shadowed by the events of last year; Yona Adam, whose daughter Mapal was killed, urged voters to “Remember all those whose voices are no more.”
As voting took place, Mr. Netanyahu’s recent messaging focused on external security. In a video released this week, he stood beside a missile-defence battery and warned Tehran it would face “a devastating blow” if it attacked Israel.
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- Israel election live updates: Netanyahu battles to stay in power as voters head to the polls
- Israel election: Israelis vote for 1st time since October 7 terror attack
- Israel Election 2026 Live: Netanyahu's fate hangs in balance as Israelis vote in key post-war polls
- Israelis to soon vote in the first election since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack
- Netanyahu faces Israeli voters in first election since Oct. 7 and Gaza war
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