Netanyahu Faces Israel's First Post-Oct. 7 Election as Tens of Thousands Fly Home to Vote
Israelis are voting in the country's first national election since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political future hanging in the balance. Tens of thousands of citizens living abroad are flying home to cast ballots in what is expected to be an extremely tight race.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is fighting for his political survival in Tuesday's election, the first national vote since the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023 [271264]. The election is widely seen as a referendum on Netanyahu's leadership, though few analysts are willing to count out the country's longest-serving prime minister despite the catastrophic impact of those attacks [271264].
The race is wide open, and Netanyahu's political future depends on a few key factors [271943]. His security record and the threat from Iran are central issues for voters [271623]. The vote comes as Israel continues to grapple with the aftermath of the October 7 attacks, and the war in Gaza and the security failures that day remain central issues for voters [271264].
Tens of thousands of Israeli citizens are flying back to Israel to vote in the close election [271987]. The race is expected to be decided by a small number of votes, prompting many citizens living abroad to return home and cast their ballots in person [271987].
Arab Israeli voters, who often stay home on election day, are now being urged to vote in large numbers with the goal of removing the right-wing coalition from power [268182]. This shift could give Arab parties the decisive votes in a close election [268182]. The Joint List will play a decisive role in removing Netanyahu from power, its parliamentary bloc leader Ahmad Tibi said, setting conditions for backing an alternative government including a safety net for the Arab community and action on crime, discrimination and house demolitions [270391].
Israeli Jews across the political spectrum are approaching the election with intense fears, according to a survey of voters [271670]. Both supporters and opponents of Netanyahu express deep anxiety about three issues: isolation abroad, security at home, and the future of Israel's identity [271670]. The findings suggest that despite deep divisions over Netanyahu's leadership, voters on both sides share a common sense of unease about the country's direction [271670].
The election result could shape the country's destiny for a generation, setting its direction for years to come [268216]. Israelis vote on Tuesday to choose their next prime minister, but the winner may not take office for weeks or even months [270763].