by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief
(Worthy News) – Israel enters the final hours of a fiercely contested national election campaign, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fighting for political survival against former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, whose rising Yashar party leads in the latest polls.
Approximately 7.3 million Israelis are eligible to vote Tuesday, October 27, in the country’s first parliamentary election since Hamas’ October 7, 2023, terrorist attack and the subsequent wars that reshaped Israel’s security landscape.
The election has become a referendum on Netanyahu’s leadership, with national security, Iran’s nuclear ambitions, accountability for October 7, military conscription, and the country’s political direction dominating the debate.
Final Polls Show Eisenkot Ahead, but No Clear Majority
Four major surveys released ahead of the election show Eisenkot’s Yashar party overtaking Netanyahu’s Likud, although neither political bloc appears capable of securing the 61 seats needed to control Israel’s 120-member Knesset.
A Channel 12 survey projected 23 seats for Yashar and 21 for Likud, while Channel 13 placed Eisenkot’s party at 22 seats and Netanyahu’s at 19.
The latest polling suggests the opposition could secure approximately 52–56 seats, compared with roughly 48–50 for Netanyahu’s right-wing and religious coalition. Arab parties and smaller factions could therefore play a decisive role in determining who forms the next government.
Netanyahu Warns of Iranian Nuclear Catastrophe
In a dramatic final campaign push, Netanyahu posted an AI-generated image depicting a nuclear explosion over Tel Aviv, warning voters that Israel could face a second Holocaust if Iran’s nuclear ambitions are not stopped.
The prime minister has portrayed himself as the leader best equipped to confront Tehran, emphasizing his government’s military operations against Iran and its regional proxies.
Opposition leaders condemned the imagery as an attempt to frighten voters, while Eisenkot accused Netanyahu of becoming increasingly desperate as the election approached.
Eisenkot Challenges Netanyahu’s Leadership
Eisenkot, a former military chief who lost his son during the Gaza war, has positioned himself as a security-minded alternative to Netanyahu rather than a traditional left-wing challenger.
At a campaign rally, Eisenkot warned that Netanyahu would “stop at nothing” to remain in power.
His campaign has emphasized restoring public confidence in government, strengthening democratic institutions, requiring broader participation in military or national service, and addressing the security failures surrounding October 7.
Despite their bitter political rivalry, both leaders support a strong Israeli military posture against Iran and other regional threats.
The election’s outcome could ultimately depend less on which party finishes first than on whether either leader can assemble a workable parliamentary coalition.
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