Israel votes as Netanyahu's political survival hangs in balance

Israel votes in its first election since the October 7 attacks, with Netanyahu's future on the line against centrist challenger Gadi Eisenkot.
Israelis headed to the polls on Tuesday to elect the 120 members of the 26th Knesset, in the country's first election since the October 7 attacks, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu facing one of his toughest re-election campaigns.
Netanyahu is competing directly against former military chief Gadi Eisenkot and his centrist Yashar party, with security policy, regional defence operations and post-war economic recovery defining the contest for 7.3 million registered voters.
The result will decide Netanyahu's political survival and the shape of the next coalition, in a vote watched closely across the region and by Israel's allies.



