Israel is due to hold a national election on October 27, in a vote that will be watched closely inside the country and abroad. It will be the first Israeli election since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, a turning point that reshaped the country’s political and security debate.
The election will determine the makeup of Israel’s parliament under its parliamentary system. Rather than directly choosing a prime minister in a nationwide presidential-style contest, voters back political parties, and the next government is typically formed through coalition-building after the results are in.
That means the race is not only about which party or bloc finishes first, but also about which side can gather enough partners to command a majority. In practice, post-election negotiations can be just as important as the vote itself in deciding who governs.
As campaigning moves forward, the election is expected to focus heavily on leadership, security and the country’s direction after the shock of October 7. With coalition math likely to matter again, the outcome may depend on both voter support and the ability of rival camps to build a workable governing alliance.
