Israel is preparing for an election in less than a month, with the political landscape described as being on a knife-edge. The upcoming vote could mark a significant moment for a country that has undergone profound changes following the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023, and nearly three years of conflict in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran.
For over two years, most polls have indicated that the coalition led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is likely to fall below the 61-seat threshold required to form a government. However, his primary opponent, Gadi Eisenkot, the former chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces, does not have a clear path to power, partly because he has excluded forming a coalition with parties led by Palestinian citizens of Israel, who are projected to win 12 crucial seats.
A recent Channel 13 poll, published last week, highlighted this deadlock, projecting 52 seats for Jewish Israeli parties opposed to Netanyahu and 51 for the prime minister's bloc, with both falling short of a majority. Eisenkot's Yashar party topped this poll with 22 seats, while Netanyahu's Likud was projected to secure 18. This lack of clarity regarding the next government, with both main blocs on the right, is contributing to unease among Israelis.
Public trust in Israeli institutions has declined, with the Israel Democracy Institute reporting an average of 34% in 2025, down from 61% in 2012. The Hamas attack of October 7, 2023, is expected to be a major factor for voters, with a poll by the Israel Democracy Institute finding that 68% of Jewish respondents said it would be central to their voting decision. Economic concerns, including a 9.5% rise in food prices over the past two years, are also influencing voters.