Israel returns to the polls for the first elections after the Hamas attack on 7 October 2023. The polls are open from 6am Italian time: 7.3 million citizens have the right to vote, out of a population of around 10 million. The consultation comes after three years of war and, for the first time since 1988, at the natural end of the legislature, after four years. There are 37 parties in the running, from the far right to the Arab-Israeli groups, passing through the ultra-Orthodox ones.
Eisenkot, Netanyahu’s challenger
Among the new entries in the competition is Gadi Eisenkot’s party, indicated as the main challenger to Benjamin Netanyahu. Former chief of staff from 2015 to 2019, Eisenkot entered the Knesset in 2022 with National Unity, the formation born from Benny Gantz’s Blue and White and Gideon Sa’ar’s New Hope. After the October 7 attack he became minister without portfolio in the Netanyahu government, which was expanded to deal with the emergency. He then left it together with Gantz in June 2024. His electoral promises include a state commission of inquiry into the failures of October 7 and the enlistment of the ultra-Orthodox. Polls indicate, among the possible outcomes of the vote, a stalemate or the formation of a minority government.
The new party of former General Winter
Amcha Yisrael, the party founded in August by former general Ofer Winter, is also participating in the elections. His program includes clear opposition to the creation of a Palestinian state.
How the 120 members of the Knesset are elected
The Israeli electoral system is proportional, with a single national constituency. Voters choose a party, not a single candidate. To obtain representation in the Knesset, made up of 120 members, the threshold of 3.25% must be exceeded. Polls are expected to close at 10pm local time. In small communities, hospitals and prisons, operations take place from 8am to 8pm. Those who are in line at closing time retain the right to vote, as long as they remain in the queue.
Voting abroad and results dates
Israelis cannot vote abroad, except for the exceptions provided for diplomats and their families, soldiers stationed overseas and representatives of national institutions serving outside the country. For these categories, early voting took place on 15 October. The ballots, inserted in a double envelope and sent to Israel, will be counted at the end of the operations. The results will be officially confirmed on November 4th. It will then be possible to appeal until November 18th.