Israel Prepares for October 28 General Elections Amid Deadlock
Israel prepares for general elections on October 28 with polling suggesting a deadlock between Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing bloc and a centrist opposition.
Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing coalition, including Likud, Otzma Yehudit, and the Religious Zionist Party, are campaigning for the October 28 general elections. They face a centrist opposition led by Yashar party leader and former military chief Gadi Eisenkot. Current polling indicates a potential deadlock, as neither side appears likely to secure the 61 seats necessary for a parliamentary majority, which could result in a caretaker government or repeated elections.
The campaign has been characterized by deep polarization and the rise of AI-generated content and conspiracy theories regarding the October 7 attacks. A significant legal conflict occurred when Balad leader Sami Abu Shehadeh withdrew from the race after the Supreme Court was poised to uphold his disqualification, a move supported by parties across the Zionist spectrum.
While Palestinian parties such as Ra’am and the Joint List may hold the balance of power in the Knesset, centrist leaders including Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett, and Avigdor Lieberman have stated they will not form a coalition with them. Meanwhile, right-wing ministers continue to advocate for West Bank settlement expansion and military policy shifts regarding Gaza.
