Israel holds first post-Oct 7 election, Netanyahu faces close race with Eisenkot
Israel held its first parliamentary election since the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on 27 October, with incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot locked in a close race as voters went to the polls across the country. Analysts said the vote could produce a fragmented Knesset, and the campaign largely avoided the peace process, focusing on security, conscription and judicial reform issues. Final polls indicated that neither Netanyahu’s bloc nor Eisenkot’s opposition was likely to secure the 61 seats needed for a majority. CNN reported that Eisenkot emerged as the leading opposition candidate, projected to win 20-23 seats.
France 24 noted that thousands rallied in Tel Aviv demanding an independent inquiry into the Oct. 7 security failures. Al Jazeera outlined multiple coalition scenarios, ranging from a Netanyahu-led government to an opposition coalition. Reuters added that analysts expect an opposition victory could boost the shekel and lower risk premiums.
