Israelis go to the polls on Tuesday in a landmark parliamentary vote where key supporters of challenger Gadi Eizenkot argue he will unite the country into a liberal democracy and command the mandate to build a coalition, while incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leans on his established wartime leadership in a deeply divided nation.
The parliamentary election marks Israel's first national vote since the conflict with Palestine began in October 2023. The contest comes amid deep divisions among voters over national security and the country's political direction, with neither Netanyahu nor Eizenkot holding a clear path to power.
Netanyahu is locked in a fierce contest against Eizenkot, campaigning on his wartime leadership and his high-profile alliance with U.S. President Donald Trump, who has endorsed him. Netanyahu's leadership within his own coalition bloc remains unchallenged as he tours the country to mobilize supporters ahead of the opening of polling stations.
Facing him is Eizenkot -- a former military Chief of Staff, a bereaved father, and a relative newcomer to politics who has emerged as the single greatest challenge to the Netanyahu era.
Expected to lead his Yashar party to the highest number of seats in parliament, Eizenkot's supporters expressed strong optimism at a final rally in Tel Aviv on Sunday.
Meridor voiced full confidence that Eizenkot's momentum would deliver a change in national leadership.
"Eizenkot is a leader. Eizenkot will unite this country. Eizenkot will take it back to be a democratic, Jewish, liberal state -- the place we need to be," he said.
Winning the largest number of seats, however, will not automatically make Eizenkot Prime Minister. Under Israel's parliamentary system, he must build the largest bloc by securing the backing of other parties.
Party figures maintain that securing the top seat count gives them the legitimate claim to lead government formation.
"Just as Eizenkot and all of us said, when we were very small, the common sense is that the largest party should be the first one to get the opportunity to start and assemble a coalition. This will be the case with Eizenkot because the public showed where its trust is and it is with a biggest party, and I hope it will be Yashar," said Orit Farkash Hacohen of the Yashar Party.
Voters face a choice between a political newcomer promising change and an experienced leader who has become synonymous with the country's political landscape. With the race remaining tight and unpredictable, political analysts note that a third outcome -- a political deadlock leading Israelis to the polls again in a few months -- remains entirely possible.
Supporters of challenger Eizenkot optimistic about results in Israeli parliamentary election
