Today’s election is the first in Israel since the October 7, 2023 attack - a collective national trauma that has defined the entire campaign. In Tel Aviv, relatives of Israelis taken hostage during the attack gathered early on Tuesday morning.
"Let us take responsibility and bring about change, a state commission of inquiry and healing for ourselves and our country," Yona Adam, whose daughter was killed at the Nova music festival during the attack, told Haaretz.
Managed for 19 years
The issue of a state investigation into October 7 has been one of the most prominent issues ahead of the election. Netanyahu’s reluctance to appoint an independent commission is believed to be holding him back.
His main challenger, former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, has, according to Israeli media, promised to appoint one on his first day in power if he wins.
Netanyahu, 77, has ruled Israel for a total of 19 years. For him, the election is not just about political survival: he faces both a lengthy corruption trial and an international arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Peace not on the ballot
Israelis vote for parties, which then form alliances to create a majority government. Netanyahu’s current coalition has been described as the most extreme right-wing government in Israeli history and has launched wars in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran during its term.
However, none of the major parties are campaigning on peace or the formation of a Palestinian state.
Most polling stations close at 9 p.m. Swedish time. That is when Israeli television companies will publish their exit polls. Preliminary results are expected on Wednesday.
