2026 Israeli Elections

Likud’s Constitution Committee backed sweeping changes granting Netanyahu eight reserved list slots and authority to replace primaries with a wartime selection committee.

Four major bills passed during the Knesset’s final blitz, with implications for the IDF, the judiciary, state benefits and press freedom.

“I simply cannot ask you to vote for a party that I myself can no longer bring myself to vote for,” Illouz stated. “This is no longer the Likud. This is a party that has been hijacked.”

The announcement came one day after Haskel resigned from her position as deputy foreign minister over the passing of controversial legislation that froze the arrests of haredi draft evaders.

Ministry officials reportedly believe that Minister Miri Regev may be aiming to reduce the number of flights for Israelis returning to vote, as many may be likely to vote against PM Netanyahu.

The haredi-backed Basic Law passed its final Knesset votes after weeks of coalition tensions and warnings that it could encourage draft evasion.

Netanyahu reportedly has held several meetings with Katz ahead of the vote, seeking to bridge disagreements over the primary system.

With the elections set to take place on October 27 as planned, this will be the first time since 1988 that elections have been held after a full four-year term.

MK Naama Lazimi called for a criminal investigation into Likud MK Nissim Vaturi, accusing him of incitement after he said she would fit in Hamas elections.

“Elections are not a civil war,” Herzog said. “Elections are a social, democratic and political process, very significant and important in the life of a nation.”