Israelis surged to the polls at the fastest rate in 45 years on Tuesday, passing wartime judgment on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in what voters described as the most consequential election in their history. In the first election since the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks, voters are passionately engaged over the trauma of the country's deadliest day, and the ensuing wars in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran.
Policies of Netanyahu's right-wing coalition have been divisive at home and have deepened Israel's international isolation, but he has defended his record as the only leader with the mettle to face Israel's foes.
Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving leader with 19 years in office, is an unmatched political survivor, and his nationalist politics are increasingly entrenched. Israel's fragmented system makes it difficult for an array of opponents to force out his coalition of right-wing, far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties.
His main rival Gadi Eisenkot, a military ex-chief of staff and security hawk, aims to unseat him with the support of parties on the right and centre, as well as the rump of an increasingly marginalised left. Opinion polls show a close race, with neither leader facing an easy path to power.
Voters began casting ballots after polling stations opened at 7 a.m. The polls close at 10 p.m. The Central Elections Committee reported that 16.7% of eligible voters had already cast their ballots within the first three hours, the fastest early turnout rate since 1981. "I think these elections are the most important of all the ones I’ve known," said Ruth Epstein, an 81-year-old longtime left-wing voter in Ramat Gan near Tel Aviv, who voted for the opposition Democrats. "I’m really scared about what will be here."
Netanyahu supporter Louis Lipsky of Jerusalem said he was voting to keep the prime minister in power, crediting him with normalising relations with several Arab states under the Abraham Accords of 2020. Netanyahu has campaigned on his wartime leadership and an endorsement from US President Donald Trump, his ally in war against Iran, who has said they should "finish the job".
When will we know who won?
It is likely this will be known within a few hours of polls closing, but it could take days or even weeks to become clear. Voting starts at 7 a.m. (0500 GMT) and ends at 10 p.m. (2000 GMT), when Israeli TV channels will air exit polls giving the first indications of the outcome. The election results will then start coming in.
A clear picture may emerge quickly but if no party or group of parties has a clear parliamentary majority, it could take much longer. The final tally is expected by October 30 and official election results are formally published a week after the election, on November 4.
Why is it so complicated?
Elections to the 120-seat Knesset are meant to be held every four years but early elections have been frequent. The Knesset seats are allocated by proportional representation to national party lists, with parties needing to pass a threshold of 3.25% of the national vote to secure seats.
About a dozen parties are widely thought to have a chance of crossing the threshold, so the final tally and seat allocation will take time.
What happens after the results are published?
After the final tally is in, President Isaac Herzog will consult party leaders on whom they want as prime minister and then tap the candidate he believes has the best chance of forming a government. That nominee has up to 42 days to form a government.
No single party in Israel has ever won an outright majority, so governments are formed by a coalition of parties, and negotiations on forming a government often take weeks. Every Knesset seat counts and small parties can have a big impact by becoming kingmakers.
If the nominee fails, others can get a chance to try. If no government emerges, another election is called, with the present cabinet staying on as a caretaker government.
(With inputs from Reuters)
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