Israel Votes in Pivotal Election Over Security and Economy

Israelis vote Tuesday in a general election marking the first national contest since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks. The election centers on a divide between Benjamin Netanyahu and challenger Gadi Eisenkot regarding the nation's security and economic trajectory.

Netanyahu campaigns on his military operations in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran to restore deterrence. He proposes a "Super Sparta" vision involving a 450-billion-shekel military buildup over 12 years to achieve self-reliance, even suggesting the use of cryptocurrencies to bypass potential international sanctions. He argues that the economy must now support defense to ensure national security.

Eisenkot, a retired general and former chief of staff, advocates for structural reforms to reduce government debt and integrate the ultra-Orthodox population into the labor market and military service. He has pledged to launch a national investigation into the security failures of October 7, an inquiry Netanyahu has blocked. Eisenkot claims that political and personal considerations were prioritized over security during the decision-making process.

While the economy has seen growth driven by the "Nvidia effect," economists warn of structural vulnerabilities, including a brain drain of professionals and a defense budget reaching nearly 8% of GDP. Other campaign flashpoints include record settlement expansion in the West Bank, approved by Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and calls from candidates like Shaul Meridor to terminate budgets for schools that avoid a core curriculum.