Israel’s Knesset election: Five key points to look at at once

(Deutsche Welle Chinese website) This election is generally regarded in Israel and abroad as a referendum on Prime Minister Netanyahu's leadership. Whether his main challenger Gadi Eisenkot can prevent him from becoming prime minister for a seventh time will be the main concern. Here are the key messages from this election.

What is the importance of this election?

This is the first national election held in Israel since the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, 2023.

The election is widely seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu has dominated Israeli politics for nearly 20 years and is now seeking to serve as prime minister for a seventh term.

Key issues in the election campaign

Accountability for the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack

National Security and Military Strategy

Rising cost of living

Judicial Reform and the Rule of Law

Military service for ultra-Orthodox Jews

As for how to formulate policies towards the Palestinians, it has not become a major issue in this election campaign.

Who has the right to vote?

There are approximately 7.3 million eligible voters in Israel, 17% of whom are Arab Israelis, who generally identify themselves as Palestinians.

Israeli settlers living in the West Bank have the right to vote, but Palestinians living in the occupied territories, including East Jerusalem, are unable to participate in the election.

Israel does not allow mail-in voting, nor is it open to overseas voting, with the exception of official envoys abroad.

How does the Israeli electoral system work?

Israeli voters vote for political parties rather than directly electing a prime minister.

A total of 38 political parties are participating in this election. Political parties must obtain at least 3.25% of the vote to enter the Israeli Parliament (Knesset).

To form a government, a party must win at least 61 of the 120 seats in the National Assembly or form a coalition government with other parties. No single party has ever won more than half of the seats on its own.

Who is ahead for now?

Netanyahu’s main opponent is former Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot. The political newcomer currently leads the centrist party Yashar.

Polls show that the right-wing and religious party camp led by Netanyahu and the opposition camp led by Eisenkot are currently evenly matched.

However, neither party is expected to obtain the 61 seats needed to form a government alone.

When will the election results be announced?

Polling stations close at 10pm local time and exit polls are usually released shortly afterwards.

The official election results will be confirmed on November 4.

Within the next week, the Israeli president will designate the leader of the political party he believes is most likely to form a coalition government and entrust him with negotiating the formation of a cabinet.