Israel Elections

In the weeks ahead, Israelis will argue fiercely about the election and the country’s future. Jews elsewhere will have their own arguments about Israel, politics, and the Jewish community's future.

NATIONAL AFFAIRS: Despite painful October 7 commemorations, Netanyahu's bloc holds steady in polls as both sides clash over security failures, military achievements, and the flydubai incident.

Former Likud MK and Yisrael Beytenu candidate Dan Illouz discusses what originally drew him to Likud, the October 7 massacre, and what ultimately led him to join Avigdor Liberman’s Yisrael Beytenu.

Yisrael Beytenu is part of the opposition bloc seeking to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his coalition in the October election. It has recently been polling at around nine to 10 seats.

“We call on the entire public, Arabs and Jews: Come to us. Let’s build together a home of dignity, a home of equality, a home of hope,” said the Chairman of the Arab-led Joint List party.

Herzliya Mayor Yariv Fisher condemned the distribution of noose-themed pins to students at Handasaim High School, calling the incident the crossing of an “educational, ethical, and moral red line.”

Since April’s truce, Israeli and Lebanese delegations have met seven times, in Washington and Rome, and signed a framework in June trading Israeli withdrawal for Hezbollah’s verified disarmament.

Instead of progressing, we will be regressing, and may be responsible for what future historians will call “the destruction of the Third Temple.”

Which parties Likud would seek to bring into a coalition, and whether those parties would be willing to join such a government, will become clear only after the election.

The court overturned Central Elections Committee decisions disqualifying MK Ofer Cassif, Ra'am and the Joint List, while Sami Abu Shehadeh withdrew his candidacy during proceedings.