Israeli voter turnout hits 45-year early high in election seen as verdict on Netanyahu
Israelis voted at the fastest pace in 45 years in the first national election since the October 7, 2023 attacks, with Benjamin Netanyahu facing challenger Gadi Eisenkot in a close race.
Jerusalem, Israel. Israelis went to the polls on Tuesday at the quickest pace seen in 45 years, delivering a verdict on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during wartime. Voters described the contest as the most consequential in the country’s history.
Early turnout
Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. (0500 GMT) and are due to close at 10 p.m. (2000 GMT). According to the Central Elections Committee, 16.7% of eligible voters had cast ballots within the first three hours. That is the fastest early turnout since 1981.
A vote shaped by war
This is the first election since the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023, the deadliest day in Israel’s history. Voters remain deeply engaged over that trauma and over the wars in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran that followed.
The policies of Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition have split opinion at home and increased Israel’s isolation abroad. Netanyahu defends his record, presenting himself as the only leader with the resolve to confront Israel’s enemies.
The contest
Netanyahu has been in office for 19 years, longer than any other Israeli leader, and is regarded as an unrivalled political survivor. His nationalist politics have become more firmly entrenched. Israel’s fragmented political system makes it hard for his many opponents to dislodge a coalition of right-wing, far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties.
His main challenger is Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief of staff and security hawk. Eisenkot hopes to unseat him with backing from parties of the right and centre, along with what remains of an increasingly marginalised left. Opinion polls point to a tight race, and neither man has an easy route to power.
Voices from the ballot box
Ruth Epstein, an 81-year-old longtime left-wing voter in Ramat Gan near Tel Aviv, said she backed the opposition Democrats. “I think these elections are the most important of all the ones I’ve known,” she said, adding that she was frightened about the future.
Louis Lipsky of Jerusalem, a Netanyahu supporter, said he was voting to keep the prime minister in power. He credited Netanyahu with normalising ties with several Arab states under the Abraham Accords of 2020.
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