ESTHER DAVIS

Esther Davis is a Breaking News Desk editor for The Jerusalem Post . Having grown up in Sydney and London, she will be studying English Literature at the University of Warwick. In her free time, she enjoys kickboxing, Krav Maga, hanging out with her three dogs, and crochet.

Israel’s election campaign is gathering pace, with the country’s political parties competing over the questions of security, leadership and the direction Israel takes after three years of war.

Israel picks between 'secular democracy or theocracy' in election, chess master Garry Kasparov says

Protesters take part in a demonstration against the sale of products from companies they accuse of being complicit to "genocide, occupation, and apartheid in the Palestinian territories," in Amsterdam on October 3, 2026; illustrative.

Banning Beersheba fans, allowing pro-Hamas rally shows Netherlands broken, Israeli ambassador says

An IDF infographic shows the two terrorists killed in Thursday's strikes, Mohammed Mohammed Abd al-Khalek Hala and Ahmad Jabrin Tawfiq Dalhan.

IDF kills two terrorist in Gaza Strip for roles in October 7, attempts to harm Israeli civilians


Ex-Shin Bet research head: Hamas controls Gaza Strip, generates up to $5 million daily

Hamas "sells paid solutions in Gaza and is the main employment factor," she said, adding that it "determines who in the population will receive what, and creates dependency."

Hamas terrorists celebrating during a rally in the northern Gaza Strip.

IDF to start awarding medals for sacrifice, heroism to soldiers who fought in October 7 battles

The goal, the statement explained, is to recognize "the extraordinary acts of heroism performed during the battles, thereby preserving and passing on the legacy of heroism in combat."

 An IDF soldier looks at the destruction in Kibbutz Kfar Aza, one of the hardest-hit communities in the October 7 onslaught by Hamas.

Zamir says return to war with Iran may postpone Israel election as Pentagon prepares plans - report

Three US aircraft carriers will soon be in the Middle East, the New York Times said, adding that the Pentagon had developed plan for a three-day campaign against Iran.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir speaks at a conference of senior command staf at the Glilot IDF base on October 4, 2026.

Bennett, Lapid meet family of Haymanot Kasau, pledge to transfer case to Shin Bet, Zini if elected

"I committed to them that we would turn to the head of the Shin Bet, David Zini, to examine the Shin Bet's involvement in the matter," Bennett said in a post on X/Twitter.

Family of Haymanot Kasau, an Ethiopian Israeli girl who has been missing since February 2024, meet with Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid.

US, Iran may return to fighting after midterm elections, reached 'diplomatic stalemate' - report

This follows separate talks in New York between Qatari mediators and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, along with a US delegation that included Jared Kushner.

Jared Kushner speaks to members of the media next to U.S. Vice President JD Vance in Kiryat Gat, Israel, October 21, 2025.

Israel election poll: Eisenkot's Yashar leads as Netanyahu, opposition blocs tied at 52 seats each

Kan also found that between Eisenkot or Netanyahu as the next prime minister 39% would prefer Netanyahu, compared to 38% who would prefer Eisenkot.

General election in Israel

Netanyahu received three warnings from Egypt about Gaza including in days before October 7 - report

Netanyahu has previously denied personally receiving advance knowledge, claiming that security chiefs did not adequately warn him.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meeting with Egyptian General Intelligence Directorate Director Abbas Kamel, June 30, 2021.

Haredi anti-draft march in Bnei Brak doubled as launch event for a protest political party - report

"In Netanyahu's Government of Evasion, the deserters are the heroes," Gadi Eisenkot claimed, dubbing the march "Netanyahu's walk of shame."

Haredi protest over draft law, April 12, 2026.

US denies IRGC claim that it captured second American submarine in Hormuz 'hunting ground' - report

"It's not just a hunt; it's an intelligence windfall," claimed Spokesperson for the IRGC, Brigadier General Hossein Mohebbi

An unmanned US submersible Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says it captured at the entrance of the Strait of Hormuz, at an undisclosed location in Iran, in this picture obtained on September 8, 2026.

US official gives ultimatum to nations in Middle East: Stop trade with Iran, or US will cut ties

In total Burke, a top US Treasury Department official, visited over 50 countries across the Middle East and Europe, warning them to cease relationships with Iran.

US military officers salute the remains of US Army Maj. Bianca Wilkerson, who died in a non-combat related incident while deployed in Doha, Qatar in support of military operations connected to the US-Iran war, during a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware, US, September 26.