Politics & Diplomacy
Israel's 2026 election shapes up as contest between Netanyahu and rivals
Running file Israel Votes 2026 12 DAYS →
Image credit: Middle East Eye
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Middle East Eye examined the leading candidates and their positions ahead of Israel's 2026 election. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces challengers from across the political spectrum, with key policy divides emerging on Palestinian statehood, settlement expansion, and military strategy in Gaza and Lebanon.
The election will test voter appetite for Netanyahu's continued leadership after years of conflict and judicial proceedings against him. Major parties and their leaders are positioning themselves on questions of war strategy, security policy, and relations with the Palestinian Authority—issues that have dominated Israeli politics since 2023.
