Israeli elections: how they work and who is in the race

Israel votes Oct. 27 — the first election since the Oct. 7 attacks — and polls suggest Netanyahu may lose, but the outcome remains uncertain because of the country’s fractured politics and focus on security after the wars in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran.
Main challengers include former military chief Gadi Eisenkot (surging as a security-focused outsider), the Bennett–Lapid tandem, and hard‑line veteran Avigdor Lieberman.
Israel’s proportional system means small parties often become kingmakers, so coalition deals — not just raw poll numbers — will decide who actually governs.