Knesset dissolves: How will Israel vote in October’s general election?

Key Points:

• The Israeli Knesset will dissolve on Friday ahead of national elections scheduled for October 27, 2026, marking the first full term completion since 1988 amid a highly contentious political climate.
• The current right-wing government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has faced criticism domestically and internationally for its handling of wars in Gaza, Iran, and Lebanon, as well as for expanding illegal settlements and alleged human rights abuses.
• Israel’s electoral system uses nationwide proportional representation, with no party historically winning a majority, making coalition-building essential; recent polls show former Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot’s Yashar party slightly ahead of Netanyahu’s Likud.
• Opposition parties criticize Netanyahu mainly on governance style and institutional weakening rather than on the ongoing wars, with key campaign issues including the contentious debate over ultra-Orthodox military conscription.
• Polls indicate a fragmented Knesset with neither pro- nor anti-Netanyahu blocs projected to secure a majority, highlighting the complex coalition negotiations likely after the election.