Israel to Give Verdict on Netanyahu in Pivotal Election

Israel is set to hold a pivotal election on Tuesday, with voters considering the fate of veteran Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu amid a three-year period of regional wars triggered by the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack. Israelis are casting ballots in the wake of Israel's increasingly isolated position on the world stage, driven by a devastating military campaign in Gaza, the proliferation of settlements in the West Bank, and a shift towards hard-right religious nationalism.

The tightly contested election comes as two main contenders face off: Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving prime minister, and his centrist rival Gadi Eisenkot, a political novice and former military chief. With over 7.3 million eligible voters, including tens of thousands from abroad, the election's outcome could shape the future direction of the country.

Netanyahu's campaign has emphasized his security credentials and ties to US President Donald Trump, while Eisenkot has pledged to establish an independent state commission investigating security failures leading to the October 7 attack. The opposition has criticized Netanyahu for his support of ultra-Orthodox parties that fight to exempt religious Jewish students from military service.

The election's outcome is uncertain, with neither main contender having publicly expressed a willingness to partner with the predominantly Arab lists, which could become pivotal if the results are as close as anticipated.