2026 Israeli Elections

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

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

Members of the Lebanese army secure the area near the site of an Israeli strike, in Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon November 23, 2025

Israel sets election date for October 27, Netanyahu government to complete full term

MK Nissim Vaturi speaks during a conference at the Reichman University in Herzliya, on January 22, 2026.

Likud lawmaker Nissim Vaturi says Naama Lazimi is 'worse than Hamas,' faces probe calls


Gadi Eisenkot challenges Netanyahu to public debate in response to Likud video criticizing him

"Netanyahu, enough with the incitement videos... set a date and a place. Come to a public debate. We'll answer the public's questions. A true leader speaks with the public," Eisenkot said.

Gadi Eisenkot, head of the Yashar party speaks during a conference at Tel Aviv University, May 12, 2026.

Majority of Israelis say Trump should not determine the nature of IDF operations - poll

This poll comes against the backdrop of the "shouting call" between Trump and Netanyahu, a profanity-laced tirade against the Israeli prime minister, demanding that Israel halt IDF airstrikes.

 U.S. President Donald Trump points his finger towards Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as they shake hands during a press conference after meeting at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, US, December 29, 2025.

Likud sets July primaries while Netanyahu weighs impact of candidates on election outcome

According to a knowledgeable source, Netanyahu has come to terms with the idea of primaries, meaning that he is not currently working to cancel them.

Likud lawmakers react as they attend a 40 signatures debate, at the plenum hall of the Knesset, in Jerusalem, December 8, 2025

Israel's next election is a battle for the country's soul - opinion

What is on the minds of Israeli voters as they prepare to head to the ballot box?

Israeli current opposition leader Yair Lapid (L) and former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett stand together in Tel Aviv on May 12, as they hold their inaugural conference of their ‘Together – Under Bennett’s Leadership’ party for the upcoming national election.
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Why polarization, not Iran or Hamas, will decide Israel's next election - analysis

As Israel heads toward another election, the country’s deepest divides may no longer be external enemies – but itself

Opposition leader Yair Lapid and former prime minister Naftali Bennett recently held an inaugural conference of their Together – Under Bennett’s Leadership party for the upcoming national election.
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Eisenkot says he would sit with haredim as Liberman talks loom

His comments come after reports of contacts regarding a possible merger between his party and Avigdor Liberman’s Yisrael Beytenu, who has repeatedly criticized 'draft-dodging.'

Yashar! Party leader Gadi Eisenkot speaks in Herzliya, April 26, 2026; illustrative.

Israel’s upcoming election season could become its ugliest yet - opinion

In the end, Israelis will survive this election. But the real question remains unanswered: What kind of society will be here once it is over?

A man wearing a mask depicting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds images of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich at a protest in Tel Aviv, last month. When both sides view the election in such existential terms, restraint disappears, the writer warns.

Middle Israel: How Likud’s primaries poisoned Israeli politics - opinion

The 18-year fencing match between Shimon Peres and Yitzhak Rabin came to a sudden end, thanks to an invention Israel had never seen: primary elections. 

A LIKUD supporter waves the party’s flag at a gathering, a show of grassroots loyalty which has long defined the movement, even as critics say its primaries have reshaped, and at times distorted, who rises within its ranks.

Over half of Israelis want PM Netanyahu to retire from politics, not run in Knesset election - poll

Poll: 55% of Israelis want Netanyahu to step down, as the coalition drops to 49 seats and the opposition strengthens to a majority.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at a Jerusalem Day event, May 14, 2026; illustrative.

Arab-Israeli activist Yoseph Haddad weighs new party bid with ex-Jerusalem deputy mayor - exclusive

Haddad is aiming to translate his social media support into real influence within Jerusalem's political apparatus.

Yoseph Haddad demonstrates against a rally marking the "Nakba" at Tel Aviv University, May 15, 2024; illustrative.