How do Israel's elections work and who are the main contenders?
Israel's general election takes place on Tuesday 27 October.
TL;DR
- Israel's general election is scheduled for Tuesday, October 27th, following the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attacks.
- Incumbent Benjamin Netanyahu faces a tight race against Gadi Eisenkot, a former head of the Israel Defense Forces.
- Key election issues include security failures leading to the October 7th attacks, conscription for ultra-Orthodox men, judicial reform, and the cost of living.
- The election's results will have significant implications for Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, particularly regarding settlements and peace prospects.
- Israel uses a proportional representation system, meaning governments are coalitions, and forming one can take weeks or months.