Israelis vote for 1st time since October 7 terror attack

Key Points:

• Israelis are voting in a highly contested election, the first since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack and subsequent Gaza war, with incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu facing a strong challenge from former military chief Gadi Eisenkot.
• Early voter turnout is the highest in decades, with significant participation expected from Arab Israelis, who constitute about 18% of the electorate and could act as kingmakers in coalition formation.
• Israel's parliamentary system requires parties to form coalitions to achieve a majority of 61 seats; polls show Eisenkot's Yashar party leading Netanyahu's Likud, but neither is projected to win outright.
• Arab parties, notably the Joint List and Ra'am, are projected to hold crucial seats and influence coalition talks, despite both Netanyahu and Eisenkot ruling out formal alliances with them before the election.
• Gadi Eisenkot, a former IDF chief of staff and political newcomer, campaigns on accountability and national unity, contrasting Netanyahu's leadership style, while both candidates face a politically divided electorate amid ongoing security and social challenges.