Israel Election 2026: The parties, blocs and battles that will shape Israel's future – explainer

As Israel's October 27 election approaches, the political landscape has significantly shifted since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. Key issues now include the IDF's manpower crisis, contentious Haredi conscription legislation, and calls for a state commission of inquiry into government failures surrounding the attack. Traditional issues like a Palestinian state have receded. Prof. Ofer Kenig, a political expert, stated the election will "mark the direction in which Israel's democracy is heading." He noted that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent calls for a "broad national government" suggest a "less than optimal situation" for his Likud party, which is slipping in polls. Kenig added that Netanyahu's strategy appears to be shifting from winning to "just trying not to lose." The election will also see the emergence of a "third bloc" of parties offering an alternative to the current right-wing coalition, and the formation of a new Joint List among Arab parties could impact both Netanyahu's and the opposition's ability to form a government.