2026 Israeli Elections

My Word: Political name of the game - opinion

It sometimes seems that politics has become more a ratings war than a campaign over real life-and-death issues.

OPPOSITION LEADER Yair Lapid and former prime minister Naftali Bennett attend an election event for the joint list Together, earlier this year.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a Knesset vote, July 16, 2026.

Netanyahu's Likud falls to lowest position since June 2025 as Eisenkot reaches new heights - poll

(Illustrative) A man casts his ballot at a voting station on the morning of the municipal elections, in Ashdod, February 27, 2024

Israel looks toward record-breaking election season with over half a million first-time voters

Israelis enjoy the beach as a heatwave hits Israel, in Herzliya, April 17, 2026

Main electoral battle will be for Israel's centrist voters, with far-right, left already set - poll


Herzog said Shin Bet warned him of internal, external threats to Israel's 2026 elections

“I call on the people of Israel, in a clear voice: remember that elections are not a civil war," Herzog said ahead of Israel's upcoming elections.

President Isaac Herzog addresses the Israeli people at the beginning of the 2026 election campaign on July 21, 2026.

Ben-Gvir demands Baharav-Miara's removal to join Netanyahu's next coalition

Notably, Ben-Gvir's demand comes against the backdrop of prolonged clashes between Ben-Gvir and Baharav-Miara throughout the current government's term over a series of legal and policy issues.

National Security Minister and Otzma Yehudit leader Itamar Ben-Gvir addresses reporters at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, June 22, 2026

Bennett meets 30 women's orgs. leaders, pledges policy overhaul for women ahead of elections

He met with the women leaders to help shape the Together Party’s policy on women, which he said would be led by MK Meirav Cohen and Liran Avisar Ben Horin.

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett gives a press conference in the Knesset, Wednesday, May 20, 2026.

Likud panel votes to expand Netanyahu’s control over party list, wartime primary alternative

Likud’s Constitution Committee backed sweeping changes granting Netanyahu eight reserved list slots and authority to replace primaries with a wartime selection committee.

Elections for the Likud Central Committee, in the south Tel Aviv district. November 25, 2025.

What are some of the main laws pushed during Knesset's legislative blitz? - explainer

Four major bills passed during the Knesset’s final blitz, with implications for the IDF, the judiciary, state benefits and press freedom.

Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana oversees votes on Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi's communications sector reform bill, July 16, 2026.

MK Dan Illouz announces departure from Likud, says party has been 'hijacked'

“I simply cannot ask you to vote for a party that I myself can no longer bring myself to vote for,” Illouz stated. “This is no longer the Likud. This is a party that has been hijacked.”

MK Dan Illouz attends a House committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem on, June 28, 2026.

Former deputy FM Haskel announces launch of new Israel First political party

The announcement came one day after Haskel resigned from her position as deputy foreign minister over the passing of controversial legislation that froze the arrests of haredi draft evaders.

Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel speaks to the media as she announces her resignation as Deputy Foreign Minister at the Knesset in Jerusalem, July 14, 2026.

Transportation Ministry weighs limiting election flights over anti-Netanyahu voting fears - report

Ministry officials reportedly believe that Minister Miri Regev may be aiming to reduce the number of flights for Israelis returning to vote, as many may be likely to vote against PM Netanyahu.

Transportation Minister Miri Regev attends a press conference in Lod, March 12, 2026.

Knesset passes contentious haredi-backed bill to enshrine Torah study in Israel's Basic Law

The haredi-backed Basic Law passed its final Knesset votes after weeks of coalition tensions and warnings that it could encourage draft evasion.

MK Yitzhak Goldknopf (United Torah Judaism) attends a House committee meeting at the Knesset, July 12, 2026.

Likud panel expands Netanyahu’s control over party list to reserve eight slots ahead of primaries

Netanyahu reportedly has held several meetings with Katz ahead of the vote, seeking to bridge disagreements over the primary system.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a memorial ceremony for Zionist leader Theodor Herzl at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem on July 5, 2026.