Israel Elections 2026

"If I put this ballot in that box, what government, policies, and political reality am I helping create?"

There may be a certain political logic in trying to appease both the Israeli Right and Trump. But what the public sees is a prime minister categorically rejecting a plan while carrying it out.

The left-wing Democrats Party finalized its Knesset slate last month after more than 97,000 of its registered members voted in internal primaries to determine which candidates would be on the list.

It began with a column by Makor Rishon editor-in-chief Kalman Libeskind, who argued Israelis who have permanently moved abroad should think twice before flying back to help choose the next gov't.

The latest poll showed that 41% of people think Netanyahu would make a better leader than Eisenkot, compared to 34% who think Eisenkot would be better.

Arab party leaders agreed in January to revive the Joint List, though Abbas said the technical alliance could split after the election, leaving Ra’am free to join a coalition.

The Israeli public has moved right, but the parties of the Right are losing support, creating a battle for millions of voters who could determine the next government.

With Eisenkot emerging as the opposition's strongest electoral asset, its rival leaders should stop competing for the top spot and instead present voters with a united shadow cabinet.

Among the opposition parties, the Democrats have failed to return to double digits after losing two seats last week, falling to nine, below the level recorded before the party’s primaries.

Former minister Haim Ramon said the attacks by Bennett and Lapid were unlikely to help them recover lost Knesset seats and could instead benefit Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.