Israel Sets General Elections for October 27, 2026

Israel will hold general elections for the 120-seat Knesset on October 27, 2026. This marks the first time since 1988 that national elections will occur on their original scheduled date and the first time in over five decades that a government has served a full four-year term. The current legislature is scheduled for dissolution on July 17, after which the government will transition into caretaker status.

Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed his candidacy for re-election despite polling suggesting a potential defeat and ongoing corruption trials. To strengthen his position, Netanyahu is pursuing legislative deals with ultra-Orthodox parties, including reforms to the military draft and a bill to split the attorney general's role. He has stated his goal is to form a "broad national government" to address regional security and the remnants of the Iranian axis.

The campaign centers on accountability for the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks and subsequent conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran. Opposition leader Yair Lapid is demanding an independent state commission of inquiry into these security failures, while the government has rejected this in favor of a politician-appointed commission. Other primary challengers include former army chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot of the Yashar party and former Prime Ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid of the Together party.

Voters are also weighing the sustainability of long-term military campaigns and a doubled defense budget against a surging cost of living. Due to the 3.25% vote threshold and the lack of single-party majorities, the final outcome will depend on the formation of coalition governments.