TEL AVIV — Israelis vote Tuesday in their first parliamentary election since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, and the race has become a test of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s hold on power, CBS News reported.
Thirty-nine parties are on the ballot. Tens of thousands marched in Tel Aviv on Saturday night demanding accountability for the failures that preceded the attacks. Netanyahu also faces an ongoing corruption trial and criticism over efforts to curb the judiciary, while supporters credit him with protecting the country.
The leading challenger is Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief of staff whose son was killed fighting in Gaza. He quit Netanyahu’s government in 2024, accusing the prime minister of prolonging the war. Netanyahu’s campaign has framed the vote as existential, and President Donald Trump has endorsed him.
Political analyst Dahlia Scheindlin told CBS that Eisenkot is unlikely to sharply change course on Gaza or Iran, the issues of most concern to Washington.
Sources: CBS News. Thee Arizona Times uses AI-assisted reporting reviewed against the sources listed.
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