Election excitement in Israel: 7.3 million voters at the polls
In Israel, about 7.3 million voters are casting ballots in the general election to determine the country's political future. In elections where the question of whether Netanyahu can maintain his hold on power is keenly watched, with more than 30 parties competing, attention has turned to the polling results.
Voting has begun in the general elections that will determine Israel's 120-member parliament. In a country with about 7.3 million voters, more than 30 parties and political lists are competing. In elections held under the shadow of attacks on Gaza, the occupation in southern Lebanon, and the war with Iran, the political future of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is also at stake. Israeli press reports that a fierce contest is expected between Netanyahu and former Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot.
Ballots opened in the morning hours.
Voting began at 07:00 local time across Israel. Voters cast their ballots at 12,018 polling stations and 18,000 ballot boxes set up nationwide. Ballot boxes are scheduled to close at 22:00 local time.
Thousands of police officers are on duty nationwide to ensure election security. While more than 30 parties and lists compete, a 3.25% electoral threshold must be surpassed to enter parliament. Recent polls suggest that 11 to 12 political groups could clear the threshold.
The fact that the general elections are being held on the scheduled timetable for the first time since 1988 also draws attention.
Netanyahu's Political Future at Stake
The elections held after a four‑year government term in Israel are significant for the future of the country's domestic and foreign policy.
Attacks on the Gaza Strip, the military occupation in southern Lebanon, and the war against Iran carried out with the United States are among the headline issues of the campaign.
In assessments appearing in Israeli media, it is said that a fierce contest could unfold between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot. The election results are expected to determine whether the current government can remain in power.
The Voting Process for Soldiers Had Already Begun
During the election process, the first ballots were cast on 20 October by soldiers and officers. Voting was carried out in a total of 850 centers, including territories in Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine under Israeli occupation.
With today's vote, voters across the country also go to the polls to participate in selecting the members of the 26th Parliament.
Israeli Citizens, Palestinians Also Vote
In the elections, about 1.2 million Israeli citizens who are Palestinian also have the right to vote. This group makes up about 21% of Israel's population. More than 750,000 Israelis living in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem can also participate in the elections.
In contrast, about 6 million Palestinians living in East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip cannot vote in the elections because they are not Israeli citizens.
According to Israeli law, citizens living abroad must return to the country to vote in general elections. Diplomatic staff and certain state representatives are exempt from this rule.
Reaction from Joint List Leader to Netanyahu Government
Yusuf Cebbarin, the leader of the Joint List representing Israeli citizens who are Palestinians, cast his vote in Umm el-Fehm, a city in the north of the country.
After the voting process, Cebbar, in his statements, said that they want the elections to bring change and urged voters to go to the polls.
Cebbar emphasized that his goal is to remove the Netanyahu administration from power, saying, 'Our objective is clear: from tomorrow onward, the Netanyahu, Ben‑Gvir, and Smotrich government must be cast into the trash bin of political history.'
Highlighting the importance of high turnout, Cebbar said that hundreds of thousands of people must vote.
Eyes on the Count for Final Results
After the polls close, exit polls are expected to be released. Final results, however, must be announced no later than eight days after the objections are reviewed.
In Israel's last general election held in 2022, the turnout was recorded at 70.63 percent. It is uncertain what the turnout will be in this election and whether any single party will have enough support to form a government on its own.
With the election results, political talks to form a new government in Israel are also expected to begin.
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