What to Know About Israel’s High-Stakes Election
Israelis vote on Tuesday in what many regard as one of the most consequential elections in the country’s 78-year history. It is the first national election since the Hamas-led assault of Oct. 7, 2023, which triggered Israel’s devastating war in Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving leader, faces a close contest involving his party and governing coalition.
Israel uses a parliamentary system in which voters select a party or electoral slate rather than voting directly for prime minister. Each party submits a ranked list of candidates, and its representation depends on the result. The leader of the party receiving the most votes does not automatically become prime minister: that person must still assemble a governing coalition through negotiations that may last weeks, months or longer.
Election Day is a public holiday, with schools, government offices and many public services closed. Polls are due to operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. in most places, with shorter hours in some small communities, hospitals and prisons. Registered Israeli citizens aged 18 and over may vote with valid identification, generally at an assigned polling station near their home. Special arrangements apply to groups including soldiers, prisoners and people with limited mobility. Turnout among Arab citizens of Israel, about 20 percent of the population, could significantly influence the outcome.
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