Israel is set to hold a general election on 27 October. The election follows a period of what has been described as a sustained assault on liberal democracy by the current government, led by Benjamin Netanyahu.
Some voters have voiced fears that if the Netanyahu-led coalition is returned to power, the upcoming election could be the country's last. Concerns have been raised regarding the government's actions, including calls to strip Israeli film-makers of their citizenship and allegations of a "poison machine" spreading disinformation.
The judiciary has been a target of the current government, with Netanyahu reportedly aiming to halt an ongoing corruption trial against him. Observers suggest that if Netanyahu wins the election, the Supreme Court could be dismantled.
In the West Bank, an estimated 250 new settlements and outposts have been established since 2023, encircling major Palestinian cities and potentially hindering the viability of a Palestinian state. This expansion has occurred under Netanyahu's coalition, with Bezalel Smotrich reportedly in de facto charge of the West Bank.