Voters in Israel are deciding whether to oust Netanyahu after 3 years of war

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israelis are voting in a pivotal election Tuesday as their country is embroiled in unresolved wars, still reeling from Hamas' 2023 attack and deeply divided over the character of the state and the right person to lead it.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing off against an array of parties seeking to oust the longtime leader from power. Opinion polls have suggested a tight race with his main rival, former military chief Gadi Eisenkot. Over 7 million people are eligible to vote.

In Israel's fragmented parliamentary politics, no single party has ever won an outright parliamentary majority, so political leaders must forge coalitions.

There is a chance that neither Netanyahu's religious and ultranationalist coalition nor the group of parties looking to remove him has enough support to win a parliamentary majority. That could set off weeks of negotiations before a leader is declared.

Israel's Arab-led parties, who are pushing for heavy turnout, could emerge as kingmakers if they agree to support one candidate over the other — and if other parties agree to join forces with them.

Already, some emotions were high as polls opened. In Kiryat Shmona, a Netanyahu stronghold near the border with Lebanon, one man kicked and tore down a poster of Eisenkot.

Hanging over the election are lingering tensions with Iran. Netanyahu ramped up threats against the country ahead of the vote. He appeared in a video this week standing beside a missile-defense battery and warned Tehran it would face “a devastating blow” if it attacked Israel.

The election is Israel's first national vote since the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that sparked the war in Gaza and related conflicts across the region. In Tel Aviv, families of some of those killed on Oct. 7 or former hostages held a moment of silence before polls opened. “Remember all those whose voices are no more,” said Yona Adam, whose daughter Mapal Adam was killed.

Around 330,000 young Israelis, many facing compulsory military service under the shadow of war, are eligible to vote for the first time.

The vote serves not only as a referendum on Netanyahu's lengthy leadership but also on what kind of country Israel should be — heavily influenced by religious and nationalist forces, or more firmly anchored in liberal and secular values. Tens of thousands of voters living overseas reportedly flew to Israel to vote.

At stake is the fate of a country whose policies and leadership are being sharply criticized by its traditional allies. Since the 2023 attack, Israel has found itself increasingly isolated over its conduct in Gaza and in the occupied West Bank, where violence by Jewish settlers has intensified. Public support among Americans has plummeted and stalwart partners in Europe and elsewhere have slapped sanctions on Israel in recent months.

For Israelis, the election presents a chance at charting the country's course after Netanyahu's latest, and especially turbulent, four-year term.

Netanyahu's supporters see him as a steady hand and a consummate statesman who they believe has triumphantly guided Israel through multiple wars. They think he is protecting Israel’s Jewish identity while keeping in check what they see as an interventionist judiciary.

His Israeli detractors see him as a polarizing leader who, beset by an ongoing corruption trial, dragged on the war in Gaza and its hostage crisis for political reasons. They say he is undermining Israel's independent judiciary and weakening its democratic underpinnings. And they accuse him of abetting a system that has allowed ultra-Orthodox religious Jews to avoid enlistment in Israel's compulsory military.

Eisenkot is viewed by supporters as a capable leader with sterling security credentials who, along with his likely governing partners, could act as a bulwark against creeping illiberalism. As someone personally touched by the conflict — his son and two nephews were killed in Gaza — his backers believe that he feels deeply the pain that still courses through Israel three years after the attacks.

Parties that would likely throw their support behind Eisenkot have vowed to improve Israel's international standing and work to conscript ultra-Orthodox men while bolstering the independence of the judiciary.

A Palestinian citizen of Israel votes for Israel's general election at a polling station in Maghar, Israel, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)

Voters arrive to cast their ballots in Israel's general election, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

Voters line up before a polling site opens to cast their ballots in Israel's general election, in Jerusalem, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar ("Straight") party, visits a polling station in Ofakim, southern Israel, during the country's general election Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

A pigeon flies past a Likud Party campaign billboard featuring U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with a Hebrew message reading, "We have one opportunity to win," in Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

A demonstrator picks up an Israeli flag surrounded by photos of victims of Hamas' Oct. 7 attack during an anti-government protest ahead of Israel's general election, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, in Tel Aviv, Israel. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, leader of the Likud party, gestures to supporters as security personnel surround him during a campaign appearance at a market in Tel Aviv, Israel, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, ahead of the country's general election. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar ("Straight") party, waves an Israeli flag after speaking at a campaign rally ahead of the country's general election, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, in Tel Aviv, Israel. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

A pedestrian passes a campaign billboard featuring Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and his main rival, opposition candidate Gadi Eisenkot, with a message in Hebrew that reads "The race is tight," Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, in Tel Aviv, Israel. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Kiah Stokes kept swatting shots on the interior, while Veronica Burton disrupted the Dream with her own quick hands to alter shots.

And that crazed, violet-clad “Ballhalla” home crowd roared at every chance — watching the Golden State Valkyries move one win away from a championship in their second season with a 64-55 victory against Atlanta in Game 5 of the WNBA Finals on Monday night.

Stokes had 13 points, eight rebounds and three blocks, and Burton contributed a nearly identical stat line with 13 points, eight rebounds and four blocked shots as Golden State got defensive once more to shut down Angel Reese and the Dream.

The Valkyries have leaned on Stokes' steady presence and postseason experience during this remarkable run.

“We’re not here without Kiah,” Burton said. “Every single day, every single game, from the beginning. Just her veteran experience as well. It's more than just defense.”

Reese finished with seven points, 15 rebounds and five assists — a big difference from her two standout performances in the first two games of the series at Chase Center. Reese shook her head when whistled for the second of her three offensive fouls with 7:43 to play.

“I still believe in our team, I still believe we can win this,” Reese said.

Fans screamed and clapped thunder sticks following the final buzzer as Stokes spoke from the floor to chants of “MVP!”

“We appreciate you,” a smiling Stokes said. “We got one more.”

On a night leading scorer Gabby Williams struggled to find her shooting touch, Golden State found that “strength in numbers” mantra coach Natalie Nakase has praised all season long and everybody made an impact. Veronica Burton had 13 points, eight rebounds and her postseason-best four blocks — tying Diana Taurasi in 2009 for most by a guard in a Finals game.

On Saturday, Nakase had changed up her lineup for a 67-62 Game 4 win by inserting Tiffany Hayes and Kaila Charles into the starting five. She stayed with those two Monday night, and it worked again. Hayes, who played 10 seasons for Atlanta and came out of retirement two years ago, had 12 points — and Nakase has said she wants to win it all for the veteran guard.

Williams began 2 for 11 and missed all four of her three 3-point tries, but she converted a three-point play with 9:08 remaining put the Valkyries ahead 49-42 and finished with nine points on 3-for-14 shooting and six rebounds.

Atlanta will now try to stave off elimination at home Thursday in Game 6 and force a deciding Game 7 back here at Chase Center on Saturday. The Dream hurt themselves with 17 turnovers that led to 21 points for Golden State.

“Nothing’s changed, we win two games we’re champions,” Dream coach Karl Smesko said.

Stokes hit a key 3-pointer with 2:46 to go in the third quarter and another with 7:21 left in the game, which ignited chants of “Ki-ah! Ki-ah!” from the rocking, rally-towel waving sellout crowd at Chase Center.

“It feels pretty special,” she said. “I always know what I brought to a team, I always understood my value but just to hear an arena full of 18,000 fans it just really makes me feel appreciated and loved.”

Stokes has recorded three or more blocks in six straight games, tying her with Lisa Leslie in 2003 for the longest such streak in a single WNBA postseason.

The Valkyries used a dominant second half after they led 25-22 at the break, the lowest scoring first half combined score in WNBA Finals history.

Rhyne Howard’s three-point play with 4:59 left in the third pulled Atlanta within 34-31, but after that it was Stokes, Burton and the Valkyries coming up with all the crucial plays on both ends.

"That’s just been our staple all season, we really rely on our defense,” Stokes said.

Golden State owner Joe Lacob promised a championship within five years in a bold declaration when the expansion franchise was granted to the Bay Area three years ago, yet this season has exceeded even what he could have envisioned.

Neither team could find a flow from 3-point range in the first half as they combined to shoot 5 for 29 from deep — 3 of 16 by Golden State and 2 for 13 by Atlanta.

Earlier Monday, the league announced Game 6 would be played at 17,000-seat State Farm Arena in Atlanta starting at 12:30 p.m. EDT on Thursday — a time when many fans on both coasts will be working.

“I’d like to see it be a national holiday for all WNBA championship games so whatever somebody can do,” Smesko said. “I hope everybody gets to see it somehow and I know that for some people it’s not realistic, they have jobs and won’t be able to make it. So I’m disappointed for that but I’m really hopeful that as many people can see the game as possible.”

See AP’s full WNBA coverage here

Golden State Valkyries guard Tiffany Hayes (15) celebrates after scoring next to Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese (5) during the second half of Game 5 of the WNBA basketball finals, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Golden State Valkyries center Kiah Stokes (41) celebrates with teammates after their victory over the Atlanta Dream in Game 5 of the WNBA basketball finals in San Francisco, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

Golden State Valkyries center Kiah Stokes (41) celebrates with guard Tiffany Hayes (15), forward Cecilia Zandalasini (24), forward Gabby Williams (1) and guard Veronica Burton (22) after the team's victory over the Atlanta Dream in Game 5 of the WNBA basketball finals in San Francisco, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

Media surround Golden State Valkyries players following a victory over the Atlanta Dream in Game 5 of the WNBA basketball finals in San Francisco, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. (Santiago Mejia/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

Golden State Valkyries guard Tiffany Hayes (15) celebrates with guard Veronica Burton (22) after scoring against Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese (5) during the second half of Game 5 of the WNBA basketball finals in San Francisco, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. (Yalonda M. James/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

Golden State Valkyries guard Tiffany Hayes, middle, holds onto the ball against Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard (10) and forward Naz Hillmon during the first half of Game 5 of the WNBA basketball finals, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese (5) reaches for the ball next to Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Williams during the first half of Game 5 of the WNBA basketball finals, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Golden State Valkyries guard Tiffany Hayes (15) drives to the basket against Atlanta Dream guard DeWanna Bonner (24) during the first half of Game 5 of the WNBA basketball finals, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese (5) celebrates with guard Te-Hina Paopao (2) and guard Allisha Gray, right, during the first half of Game 5 of the WNBA basketball finals against the Golden State Valkyries, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Williams (1) shoots against Atlanta Dream guard Isobel Borlase (20) during the first half of Game 5 of the WNBA basketball finals, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Williams (1) hugs Golden State Valkyries guard Kaila Charles (6) after Game 4 of the WNBA basketball finals on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard (10) attempts to shoot against Golden State Valkyries center Kiah Stokes (41) in the second half during Game 4 of the WNBA basketball finals on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Williams (1) high fives fans after Game 4 of the WNBA basketball finals against the Atlanta Dream on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Streamers fall from the rafters following the Golden State Valkyries victory over the Atlanta Dream in Game 4 of the WNBA basketball finals against the Atlanta Dream, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, in Atlanta. (Dan Hernandez/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)