Israel Elections 2026

The assessment is that Netanyahu's primary concern is remaining prime minister, even if it means parting ways with existing political partners like Itamar Ben-Gvir.

Lapid says available intelligence does not justify an attack before the vote, while former air force chief Norkin questions whether a limited campaign could topple Tehran’s regime.

According to the updated estimates from the Taub Center, a political party will need approximately 166,000 votes to enter the Knesset if voter turnout matches that of the 2022 election.

The announcement comes a week after INCD announced that governments could lose control of AI if they don't shut down sites.

Smotrich also said that he would not rule out forming a government with prime ministerial candidate Gadi Eisenkot, but not at the cost of boycotting his partners in the right-wing bloc.

Whether Ofer Winter's People of Israel party and Hendel and Zelekha's Reservists-Economic party cross the electoral threshold of 3.25% could affect the balance between the political blocs.

As Israel heads to the polls, Trump's public backing of Netanyahu raises questions about foreign interference and the limits of US-Israel friendship.

"I'm going to be focused on the midterm elections here in the United States of America," Vance told reporters.

Meridor told the 'Post' that Netanyahu had prioritized his own political interests and electoral base over the needs of the country, deepening divisions within Israeli society.

"It's gonna be our government. We decide what the policy is,” Netanyahu told The Jerusalem Post. He did not name a candidate for defense minister.