‘I killed lots of terrorists, but it didn’t make me feel better’: The trauma haunting Israel's elections
Israel prepares for a deeply divided election as thousands of citizens fly home to vote. The campaign unfolds after more than three years of war, with a dramatic rise in soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder following bloody military campaigns in Gaza and Lebanon. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces voters after reinventing himself, while challenger Gadi Eisenkot pledges to heal Israeli society. Netanyahu has criticized Eisenkot as soft on Iran. Voters abroad are traveling thousands of miles to participate in the pivotal decision that could rewrite the nation's future.
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- ✓ Israeli presidential candidate Gadi Eisenkot pledged to heal Israeli society.
- ✓ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu deemed Gadi Eisenkot soft on Iran.
- ✓ The number of Israeli soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder has risen drastically after more than three years of war in Gaza and Lebanon.
What changed
Presidential candidate Gadi Eisenkot pledged to unite and heal Israeli society during his final campaign event on Sunday, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu branded him soft on Iran.
Live updates
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Trauma and Division Shadow Israel's Election
Israel prepares for a deeply divided election as thousands of citizens fly home to vote. The campaign unfolds after more than three years of war, with a dramatic rise in soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder following bloody military campaigns in Gaza and Lebanon. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces voters after reinventing himself, while challenger Gadi Eisenkot pledges to heal Israeli society. Netanyahu has criticized Eisenkot as soft on Iran. Voters abroad are traveling thousands of miles to participate in the pivotal decision that could rewrite the nation's future.
Why it matters
The upcoming vote follows prolonged military conflict across multiple fronts, leaving deep psychological scars on returning combatants. The mental health crisis among soldiers has emerged as a haunting backdrop to the political contest. This election tests public exhaustion against established political figures vying to steer the country's direction.
What is confirmed
- Israeli presidential candidate Gadi Eisenkot pledged to heal Israeli society.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu deemed Gadi Eisenkot soft on Iran.
- The number of Israeli soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder has risen drastically after more than three years of war in Gaza and Lebanon.
What to watch next
- Voter turnout figures from citizens returning from abroad
- Final election results and potential coalition formations
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (9)
- The Economist — A deeply divided Israel prepares to vote
- WSJ — The Voters Who Could Decide Israel’s Election and Rewrite Its Future
- The Washington Post — Opinion | Why I’m flying 6,000 miles to vote against Netanyahu
- The New York Times — Netanyahu Has Reinvented Himself. Will Voters Think It’s Enough?
- The New Yorker — Thousands of Israelis Are Flying Back to Vote
- France 24 — ‘I killed lots of terrorists, but it didn’t make me feel better’: The trauma haunting Israel's elections
- www.france24.com — Israeli candidate Eisenkot pledges to unite country as Netanyahu deems him 'soft' on Iran
- uk.news.yahoo.com — ‘I killed lots of terrorists, but it didn’t make me feel ...
- www.hirunews.lk — ‘I killed lots of terrorists, but it didn’t make me feel ...
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