Why Palestinians Hope Israelis Will Oust Netanyahu in Pivotal Election

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   Israel Prepares for High-Stakes Election as Netanyahu Faces Slipping Support

   Israel is preparing for a high-stakes election next week that could unseat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Polling shows former IDF Chief Gadi Eisenkot and Naftali Bennett gaining ground as Netanyahu slips in the polls. Palestinian and Arab voters inside Israel see the vote as a vital chance to topple the far-right ruling coalition, with high turnout identified as a critical factor. Ra’am party chief Abbas warned that a Netanyahu victory would be a catastrophe, while Israelis abroad are flying home to vote, posing a direct threat to the incumbent leader's grip on power.

   Why it matters

   The upcoming vote follows three tumultuous years that have left the country searching for a new direction. While a change in leadership could alter Israel's domestic trajectory, analysts note that core national security strategies, such as war policy regarding Iran, may remain consistent regardless of who wins. Netanyahu has framed his campaign around a pitch linking himself with Donald Trump against opponents like Eisenkot and Abbas.

   What is confirmed

   • Israel is preparing for a high-stakes election next week.
   • Gadi Eisenkot and Naftali Bennett have gained ground as Benjamin Netanyahu slips in polling.
   • Ra’am party chief Abbas stated that a Netanyahu win would be a catastrophe.
   • Israelis abroad are flying home to vote in the election.

   Still unconfirmed

   • High turnout among Arab voters will successfully unseat the far-right ruling coalition.
   • Netanyahu's core national security and Iran war policies will remain completely unchanged under a new leader.

   What to watch next

   • Final election results next week
   • Turnout rates among Arab voters
   • Impact of voters flying in from the United States
   Sources used for this update (28)

   1. www.nytimes.com — The New York Times - Breaking News, US News, World News and Videos
   2. NPR — Israel prepares for a high-stakes election
   3. Bloomberg.com — Even If Israelis Spurn Netanyahu, His Agenda Will Live On
   4. Al Jazeera — Israel’s elections 2026 explained in maps and charts
   5. The Jerusalem Post — Israel election 2026: Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett gain as Benjamin Netanyahu slips
   6. Bloomberg.com — Israelis Abroad Fly Home to Vote, Posing Threat to Netanyahu
   7. The Guardian — After three disastrous years, Israel needs to rethink itself. A new government would be a start
   8. The New York Times — Why Palestinians Hope Israelis Will Oust Netanyahu in Pivotal Election
   9. AP News — A look at the major candidates in Israel’s election next week
   10. U.S. News & World Report — Analysis-Israel's Election May Change Its Leader, but Not Iran War Policy
   11. Reuters — Israel's election may change its leader, but not Iran war policy
   12. The Times of Israel — Turnout among Israel’s Arab voters could make or break hopes to unseat Netanyahu
   confidence 90%