Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has urged voters to back his Likud party, warning that the country's enemies want him to lose, as Israel votes in its first election since the Hamas-led attack of 7 October 2023.
The election will determine which of the 34 parties contesting the vote can secure seats in the Knesset, Israel's parliament. A total of 7,331,981 registered voters are eligible to cast their ballots.
The vote comes amid deep divisions over accountability for the security failures that preceded the October 7 attack and the independence of Israel's democratic institutions and judiciary.
Netanyahu, who has been at the centre of Israeli politics for 19 years across non-consecutive terms, has kept his coalition in power for a full four-year term, an uncommon achievement in the country's political system. He now faces a challenge from former Israel Defense Forces (IDF) chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot and his Yashar party, which has led several opinion polls.
Three other opposition parties, Naftali Bennett's B'Yachad, Avigdor Liberman's Yisrael Beytenu, and Yair Golan's Democrats, are also challenging Netanyahu's bloc. Surveys have indicated that the opposition parties could collectively win more seats than the Likud-led bloc. However, neither side is projected to secure the 61 seats needed for a majority in the 120-member Knesset.
Senior journalist Yaron Decel told ANI in Jerusalem that the outcome could lead to a national unity government, a minority government or another election if no stable coalition can be formed.
"Mr. Netanyahu is a controversial Prime Minister for a very long time. So, people here and we see the opposition bloc, the glue between the four parties is to try to replace the government of Mr. Netanyahu with a new government. Mr. Netanyahu has served as Prime Minister the longest time ever, 19 years, not consecutive terms. And he is very controversial. And the bloc that is against Mr. Netanyahu would like him to be removed and replaced," Decel said.
Netanyahu has portrayed his opponents as a left-leaning bloc that could depend on Arab parties to form a government, an arrangement he argues voters do not want.
"Israel's enemies only want us to lose - because then a dangerous left-wing government of Eisenkot and Lieberman, with Yair Golan and the Arab parties, will rise here. The way to stop them is to go out and vote only Likud," Netanyahu posted in a late-night message on Monday.
The opposition, led by Eisenkot, has focused its campaign on accountability for the October 7 attack and called for an independent commission of inquiry. Eisenkot, himself regarded as a security hawk, has portrayed Netanyahu as a danger to Israel's security.
"Benjamin Netanyahu will conclude his role immediately following the election results that will take place tomorrow and the establishment of the next government, which will be carried out expeditiously. We will ensure that this is how it will be. The people of Israel will elect a prime minister whose considerations will always be for the good of Israel, who will never act out of political interests at the expense of Israel's security and the fighters of the IDF," Eisenkot said in his final message before Tuesday's vote.
Liberman has also called for voters to support a change of government, arguing that a vote against Netanyahu would strengthen Israel.
Posting a picture with his grandson on the eve of the election, Liberman called for universal military or civilian service, equal treatment under the law, civil marriage and core curricula in schools.
"If we all go out to vote, my sweet-hearted grandson will wake up in a country that chose for everyone to serve in the army or civilian service, for everyone to bear the burden and for everyone to be equal before the law! A country that will allow civil marriages, where all its children will study core curricula, a country of "live and let live" and not of coercion! My dear grandson will grow up in a thriving, Zionist, sane, and strong State of Israel. This is my commitment. To fulfil it, I need you at the polling station! For Lev, and for all our children and grandchildren, everyone floods the polling stations to vote," he said.
Golan has also called for political change, criticising Netanyahu's government for resisting an independent investigation into the October 7 attack. The government has favoured a politically appointed commission, while Netanyahu has declined to accept personal responsibility for the failures under his watch.
"Only a true vote will ensure both Netanyahu's replacement and the replacement of his path. Only a big Democratic bloc will guarantee that we replace the prime minister and that there will truly be a government of change," Golan said on the eve of the election.
After the votes are counted, Israeli President Isaac Herzog will consult the leaders of the elected parties before asking the lawmaker he believes has the best chance of forming a government to lead coalition negotiations.
That candidate will have 28 days to form a coalition, with a possible 14-day extension. If the attempt fails, another party leader may be given 28 days to try. If that also fails, a majority of 61 Knesset members can request that the president assign the task to a particular lawmaker within a further 21-day period.
A government must ultimately win a majority of votes in the Knesset to take office. However, a minority government can be approved with fewer than 61 supporters if abstentions leave it with more votes in favour than against.
If all attempts to form a government fail, Israel could face another election, with Netanyahu remaining caretaker prime minister until a new administration is established.
Decel outlined three possible outcomes: another election if neither bloc can form a stable government, a minority government led by the opposition, or a national unity government involving Netanyahu and Eisenkot.
"There are three scenarios according to the polls. When we see that each block doesn't get the majority of 61 out of 120 members of the Israeli parliament. One, that nobody will be able to form a government. We had it in the past, and it means another round of elections in around four months because the parliament cannot produce a stable government," Decel told ANI.
He said an opposition-led minority government could emerge with about 56 seats, provided it receives enough support through abstentions and votes from other parties. A national unity government involving Netanyahu and Eisenkot was another possibility, he added.
"There is no bad blood among the two gentlemen, and they have to find a way to form such a government. This is also an option right now to see at the end of the day, a national unity government considering the open fronts with Iran, with the Hezbollah, with Hamas and with the Houthis. It might be for the sake of the interests of Israel," Decel said.
The election pits Netanyahu, a long-serving political survivor, against a former military chief in a contest that could reshape Israel's domestic politics and influence the wider situation in West Asia.