Opposition 'Change Block' challenges Netanyahu in Israeli polls

Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving prime minister, faces heavy scrutiny over his government's failure to prevent the October 7 attacks, his handling of the multi-front conflict involving Iran and Hezbollah, and the severe international isolation facing the country.

The election campaign comes amidst mounting international criticism, particularly from European nations over escalated West Bank settler violence, alongside contentious domestic debates surrounding ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) military conscription and judicial reforms.

Israel operates under a proportional representation system where parties compete for 120 seats in the Knesset, requiring a minimum of 61 seats to form a government. Because no single party has ever won an outright majority since the state's founding in 1948, political factions must form post-election coalitions.

Recent opinion polls point toward a potential deadlock between the pro-Netanyahu bloc and the anti-Netanyahu "Change Bloc," making far-right factions and ultra-Orthodox parties potential kingmakers. Meanwhile, Arab-led parties—whose disqualification was overturned earlier this month—are expected to see higher turnout, with the Joint List anticipating strong participation from Arab-Israeli citizens.

Key Parties and Main Contenders

Likud Party | Benjamin Netanyahu 

Current Seats: 32 / 120 

Overview: First elected to the Knesset in 1996, Netanyahu has led Israel for nearly 20 of the past 30 years. Running on a platform focused on security, settlement expansion, and opposing Palestinian statehood, he now faces his most precarious political battle while managing ongoing domestic protests and an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant.

Yashar | Gadi Eisenkot  

Current Seats: New Party

Overview: Former Chief of General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (2015–2019) Gadi Eisenkot leads Yashar (meaning "Honest" in Hebrew), founded in late 2025. Eisenkot, who served in the emergency war cabinet following the October 7 attacks, has emerged as a chief centrist challenger to Netanyahu.

Together | Naftali Bennett & Yair Lapid

Current Seats: 24 / 120

Overview: Former prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid united their respective movements under the "Together" (Beyachad) alliance to challenge the incumbent government. Under their agreement, Bennett serves as the alliance's candidate for Prime Minister, aiming to consolidate centrist and right-leaning opposition voters.

Otzma Yehudit | Itamar Ben-Gvir

Current Seats: 6 / 120

Overview: Led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, the far-right Otzma Yehudit ("Jewish Power") party has pulled Netanyahu’s coalition further to the right and seeks to expand its footprint in the upcoming parliament.

Religious Zionist Party (RZP) | Bezalel Smotrich

Current Seats: 7 / 120

Overview: Led by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, RZP is a key extreme-right partner in Netanyahu's current coalition. Although running independently from Otzma Yehudit this cycle, RZP remains crucial for Netanyahu's right-wing bloc.

Other Key Parties & Figures:

Yisrael Beytenu: Led by Avigdor Lieberman (6 seats).

The Democrats: Led by Yair Golan (4 seats).

Ra'am & Joint List: Led by Mansour Abbas and Yousef Jabareen respectively (5 seats each), representing Arab-Israeli voters who could hold significant sway in coalition negotiations.