Israel's elections are wide open. Here's what could decide Netanyahu's political fate.

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1. 1h ago

   Israel Faces Open Election As Netanyahu Battles For Survival

   Israeli voters are casting ballots in a wide-open election that serves as a direct referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu is locked in a battle for political survival against an anti-Bibi challenger who has him on his heels. Tens of thousands of Israeli expatriates are flying home from locations like San Francisco to participate in the vote, which observers describe as highly consequential. Israeli Jews across the political spectrum face an election driven by fears, with voters and analysts weighing whether the country will finally change its long-standing leadership.

   Why it matters

   The election carries immense weight for the domestic and foreign direction of the country, testing whether Netanyahu can cling to power despite a defiant stance at the United Nations and a cooling relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump over handling the conflict with Iran. Even if Netanyahu is defeated, experts note that Israeli policies toward Palestinians are expected to largely endure. The contest has galvanized the electorate, drawing tens of thousands of citizens back from abroad to cast their ballots in a deeply polarized environment.

   What is confirmed

   • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is battling for political survival in a wide-open election.
   • Tens of thousands of Israelis living abroad are flying home to vote in the election.
   • Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump has cooled as they disagree on how to handle the conflict with Iran.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Israeli policies toward Palestinians will largely endure even if Benjamin Netanyahu is finished politically.

   What to watch next

   • Election results and final vote tallies as they are reported
   • Potential coalition formation talks following the close of voting
   Sources used for this update (31)

   1. www.cbsnews.com — CBS News | Breaking news, top stories & today's latest headlines
   2. www.nbcnews.com — NBC News - Breaking Headlines and Video Reports on World, U.S....
   3. www.yahoo.com — Yahoo
   4. timesofindia.indiatimes.com — Saudi Arabia Turns To Iran Amid Houthi Strikes, Dealing Trump A Major Gulf Blow? - Times of India Videos
   5. time.com — How Trump’s Policies Are Testing Farmers’ Loyalty Ahead of Midterms
   6. NPR — Israelis have changed. Will they change their leadership?
   7. The New York Times — Israeli Jews Across the Spectrum Face an Election of Fears
   8. The New York Times — Opinion | How Netanyahu Could Cling to Power
   9. AP News — A look at the main issues in Israeli elections seen as a referendum on Netanyahu
   10. The Guardian — What you need to know about the most consequential election in Israel’s history
   11. AP News — Netanyahu might be finished but his policies toward the Palestinians will largely endure
   12. CBS News — Israel's elections are wide open. Here's what could decide Netanyahu's political fate.
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