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Israel votes tomorrow: Netanyahu’s political future at stake
Published : Monday, 26 October, 2026 at 8:15 AM
Observer Online Report
Israel will hold elections for its national parliament, the Knesset, tomorrow, Tuesday (October 27). The outcome will determine the political future of incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been accused of war crimes.
The Israeli parliament has 120 seats. A party or coalition needs at least 61 seats to form a government. However, due to the country’s complex political landscape, it is difficult for a single party to secure an outright majority. Netanyahu’s Likud Party also failed to win a majority on its own in the last election and came to power through a coalition with far-right parties.
According to the BBC, a poll published last Friday indicated that Netanyahu’s bloc and the main opposition alliance would be locked in a close contest. One factor influencing the election is that approximately 500,000 young Israelis will be voting for the first time. In addition, around 70,000 Israelis are travelling from other countries specifically to cast their votes.
Al Jazeera has reported that, since Israel’s establishment, no single party has ever won 61 seats on its own. As a result, parties have had to form coalitions to establish governments.
Former military chief Gadi Eisenkot has emerged as Netanyahu’s principal challenger in this election. His alliance could win more seats than Netanyahu’s party. However, this does not necessarily mean Netanyahu will lose power.
In Israel, parties that can assemble a coalition commanding at least 61 seats can form a government. Therefore, even if Netanyahu’s bloc wins fewer seats, he could return to power by forming an alliance with other far-right parties. Alternatively, Eisenkot could also emerge as the next prime minister.
Al Jazeera reported that a recent opinion poll suggested the opposition alliance led by Gadi Eisenkot could win 52 seats, while Netanyahu’s far-right bloc could secure 50 seats. This means parties representing Palestinian citizens of Israel could play a decisive role in determining who forms the next government.
According to Al Jazeera, Israel has two Arab political parties, the Joint List and Ra’am, which represent Palestinian citizens of Israel. Palestinian citizens account for approximately 20% of Israel’s population. The two parties could win a combined 13 seats in this election.
In 2021, Ra’am helped former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett form a government by joining his coalition. This was the first time in Israeli history that an Arab party became part of a governing coalition.
Mansour Abbas, Ra’am’s leader, has said he is prepared to support the main opposition alliance if it needs additional seats to remove Netanyahu from power.
Sources: Al Jazeera, Reuters
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Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury
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Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296
