Netanyahu Votes as Israelis Flock to Polls in Record Numbers—First Election Since October 7

Voting opened across Israel on Tuesday as the country held its first national election since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership and national security dominating the campaign [272311][272354].

The vote has become a referendum on Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving prime minister, with many Israelis saying the choice carries greater consequences than ever before [272354][272311]. The campaign has deeply divided the nation [272311].

Families of victims of the October 7 attacks held a moment of silence in Tel Aviv as polling stations opened [272290]. The attack was the deadliest day in Israel's history, with about 1,200 people killed, most of them civilians [271820].

Netanyahu cast his vote in Jerusalem on Tuesday, urging Israelis to vote "the right way" in the pivotal election [272282]. He faces a challenge from Gadi Eisenkot [272282]. Outside polling stations, voters voiced opposition to Netanyahu [272262].

Israeli election officials reported unusually high voter turnout, prompting Netanyahu's Likud party to request an extension of voting hours [272253]. The party asked the central elections committee to keep polling stations open later than planned, citing long lines and strong participation across the country [272253]. Election officials said they were reviewing the request [272253].

Since the October 7 attacks, Israel has waged a war of annihilation in Gaza, launched two inconclusive wars with Iran, and intensified a state-backed campaign of ethnic cleansing in the occupied West Bank [271820].

Among those running for parliament are Israelis who fought Hamas, mourned murdered loved ones, and campaigned for the release of relatives held in captivity [270713].

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