Netanyahu Defends Mandate as 7.3 Million Israelis Cast Ballots

Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. local time on Tuesday, allowing 7.3 million eligible Israelis to vote in an election that determines who will lead the country following the 2023 Hamas-led attacks and subsequent wars. Approximately 330,000 of those voters are casting a ballot for the first time. The polls will remain open until 10 p.m. local time.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has served in office for 19 years, campaigns on his wartime leadership and his alliance with U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump endorsed Netanyahu and joined Israel in waging war on Iran. On Sunday, Netanyahu stated that Trump was prepared to act again to remove the Iranian threat, a move he said would occur only if Netanyahu remained in power.

Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief of staff, leads a rival alliance with support from the right and the center. Eisenkot accused Netanyahu of relying on fear-mongering and lies. He stated he was confident Trump would work in full cooperation with any leader chosen by the people. Opinion polls show a close race between the two camps.

Voters are weighing accountability for the security failures of October 7, 2023, which killed 1,200 people and resulted in the capture of 251 hostages. Gaza health authorities report that 74,000 people have died in Israeli attacks since that date. Mali Hajaj, an Education Ministry employee supporting Eisenkot, said the most important goal is establishing a national inquiry to facilitate healing.

In contrast, Nof Gabay, an 18-year-old Likud supporter, rejected the idea that Netanyahu was to blame for the October 7 events. She described him as the right man for the state and said he managed the war in the best possible way. Lisa Tortor, who hopes Netanyahu will leave office, said a new government is needed to repair the damage to Israel's image.

Neither candidate holds a clear path to power. If neither can form a governing coalition in the 120-seat parliament, Netanyahu could remain as caretaker until another election is held next year. Netanyahu may depend on far-right leaders Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich to form a government. Both have faced sanctions from some Western countries for inciting violence against Palestinians.

Amotz Asa-El, a political analyst at the Shalom Hartman Institute, expects a slight majority for either side rather than a landslide. He noted that high turnout among Israel's Arab minority could influence the coalition arithmetic, even though Eisenkot has ruled out partnering with Arab parties due to a lack of shared values.