Israel elects new Knesset on Tuesday
The election is seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Netanyahu, but the economy and security will also shape the vote.
Listen to this article
There is no audio version yet. Request one and an AI voice will read the article aloud.
Read by an AI voice.
Israelis will elect a new parliament on Tuesday, for the first time since the Hamas attack of 7 October 2023. The result could alter Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s position, but polls and voter research indicate that the economy, the cost of living and security will also play a major role.
Elections for the 26th Knesset begin across the country on Tuesday. Most polling stations are open from 07:00 to 22:00. Voters who are in the queue before closing time may still cast their ballot. This is stated in information from Israel’s Ministry of the Interior and the Israel Democracy Institute.
According to the Israel Democracy Institute, Israeli citizens who are abroad on election day generally cannot vote from their place of residence. Only certain civil servants, representatives of national institutions and their family members are covered by exceptions. According to the Israel Democracy Institute, approximately 810,000 eligible Israeli voters live abroad. Citizens who do not fall under the exceptions must therefore travel back to Israel to vote.
According to AP, the election is the first nationwide vote since the attack of 7 October 2023 and the subsequent war in Gaza. AP therefore says the result is widely viewed as a judgement on Netanyahu’s leadership. His political future is central, but the election is not only about him personally.
Research cited by AP shows that 38 per cent of Jewish Israelis name the economy or the cost of living as one of the most important election issues. Among Arab Israelis, the figure is 46 per cent. According to AP, security, the war and relations with the Palestinians also remain important issues.
According to AP, the campaign is sharply divided between parties that support Netanyahu’s security policy and right-wing direction, and opposition parties promising a different style of government. AP also reports that opponents accuse the prime minister of exploiting tensions with Iran politically on the eve of the election. Those allegations are politically contested and do not constitute an established factual conclusion.
The election result does not directly determine who becomes prime minister. After the count, the president consults the elected parliamentary groups and then appoints the parliamentarian whom he believes has the best chance of forming a government. In a divided parliament, coalition negotiations can therefore take weeks.
The result matters to the Netherlands and Europe because of its implications for Israel’s policy towards Gaza, the West Bank and Iran. Relations with European countries and the United States could also change. However, the course ultimately chosen by a new government will depend on the coalition formed after the election.
Also show the region and a close-up
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Israel will hold elections for the 26th Knesset on 27 October 2026.
- Benjamin Netanyahu is prime minister, and his leadership is central to the campaign.
- The economy, the cost of living and security are among the most important election issues.
- The election result will partly determine which coalition implements Israeli policy.
Left
Arguments A left-wing approach stresses that security cannot be separated from the conflict with the Palestinians, and that prolonged military control and settlements perpetuate the conflict. It would prioritise civil rights, negotiations and a political solution.
Values Equality, human rights, international legal norms and the protection of civilians.
Consequences Supporters fear that continuing the current course will further isolate Israel internationally and trigger new rounds of violence.
Centre
Arguments The institutional approach emphasises stable government, security and a coalition able to tackle practical problems such as prices, public services and regional diplomacy. It seeks a compromise between security policy and international pressure.
Values Administrative stability, the rule of law, security and workable policy.
Consequences A broad coalition could ease polarisation, but could also lead to slow decision-making and limited changes of direction.
Right
Arguments A right-wing approach emphasises national security, deterrence and Israel’s right to decide for itself on its borders and military operations. It distrusts international pressure and concessions to Palestinian parties.
Values National sovereignty, security, order and the protection of Israeli citizens.
Consequences Supporters expect greater deterrence, while opponents fear further escalation and deteriorating relations with allies.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The core facts have been confirmed by official Israeli information and an independent AP analysis. Political consequences and coalition-building are described as uncertain or dependent on the result.
- confirmed Israel’s parliamentary elections for the 26th Knesset will take place on 27 October 2026. — Confirmed by Israel’s Ministry of the Interior. source
- confirmed Most polling stations are open from 07:00 to 22:00. — Confirmed by the Israel Democracy Institute. source
- confirmed Approximately 810,000 eligible Israeli voters live abroad. — A figure cited by the Israel Democracy Institute based on Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics. source
- confirmed The election is seen as a referendum on Netanyahu’s leadership. — This interpretation appears in the current AP analysis. source
- uncertain Coalition negotiations may take weeks after the election. — This is a possible outcome, not an established fact; it is phrased as a possibility in the text. source
Editor's note
The election date, opening hours and rules for voters abroad have been officially confirmed. The interpretation of the election as a referendum on Netanyahu and the issues mentioned are based on AP and voter research; the eventual coalition and policy direction remain uncertain.Sources
- A look at the main issues in Israeli elections seen as a referendum on Netanyahu — Associated Press
- Election Day for the 26th Knesset: Everything Voters Need to Know — Israel Democracy Institute
- Election Information: Polling Station Locator — Israëlisch ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken
More on this in Dutch media
- NRC — „israël verkiezingen”
- NU.nl — „israël verkiezingen”
- De Telegraaf — „israël verkiezingen”