ISRAEL VOTES: Netanyahu Faces Political Survival Test in First Election Since October 7...

Israel is holding legislative elections for the first time since the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas and the subsequent military campaign in Gaza. The vote represents a significant political moment for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose government's handling of national security and the ongoing conflict will likely be central to voters' decisions. Israeli elections typically involve coalition negotiations, as no single party usually wins an outright majority, making the composition of the next government potentially uncertain even after results are known. The election comes amid continued regional tensions and ongoing international scrutiny of Israel's military operations. Domestic political divisions over security policy, judicial reform, and settlement expansion have intensified in recent years, and these divisions may shape both voting patterns and post-election coalition-building efforts.