Voting begins in Israel's high-stakes election as Netanyahu faces tough challenge from Eisenkot

Voting commenced in Israel on Tuesday as citizens headed to the polls to choose the nation's next Knesset in a critical election. The race pits Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his incumbent coalition against the opposition bloc aiming to replace him. Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party currently leads the opposition, but neither side can secure the necessary 61-seat majority without support from Arab parties.

Polling stations opened at 7:00 a.m., with exit polls expected at 10:00 p.m. The official results will be finalized in the coming days. Voting at Israeli diplomatic missions abroad concluded on October 16, and voting at some military bases began last week. The elections come in the aftermath of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, and key issues include the IDF's manpower crisis, haredi draft legislation, and a commission of inquiry into the government's handling of the attack.

Traditional issues, such as the establishment of a Palestinian state, have taken a backseat due to the shift in Israel's security outlook.

The fate of long-serving Prime Minister Netanyahu, who has led Israel for 19 non-consecutive years, remains uncertain. The opposition bloc has called for Netanyahu to be held accountable for the attacks and argues that he should no longer serve as prime minister. Neither Netanyahu's bloc nor the opposition bloc has been projected to achieve a 61-seat majority without the support of Arab parties.

According to the Channel 12 poll, Netanyahu's bloc stands at 50 seats, while the opposition bloc is projected to win 56 seats. The Arab parties are projected to secure a combined 16 seats.

Voter turnout throughout the day will significantly impact the election results. The Taub Center estimates that at a 70% turnout rate, a party would need 165,635 votes to cross the threshold. Several smaller parties, including Ofer Winter's People of Israel party and Yoaz Hendel's the Reservists-Economics party, are fighting to secure enough votes to enter the Knesset and clear the threshold, as their support could significantly affect both blocs' ability to form a coalition.

Police have prepared for potential clashes and public order disruptions, deploying approximately 20,000 officers to maintain public order and protect public safety on Election Day.