Israelis vote in tight race to replace or retain Netanyahu

Israeli citizens voted Tuesday in a national election that has become a decisive test of leadership after three years of war and deep internal division.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has served as Israel's longest-serving premier, voted shortly after midday. He told reporters that Arab political parties were receiving massive support and urged supporters to forgo leisure activities to cast their ballots. Netanyahu described the moment as fateful and moving.

The main challenger is Gadi Eisenkot, a former head of the Israeli military. Eisenkot began his day visiting communities that were attacked on October 7, 2023. He stated that any responsible government would start the morning in those areas. After voting, he called for the removal of what he described as the worst government Israel has known, noting that victory was not certain.

Central Elections Committee figures showed that more than 31% of eligible voters had cast ballots by noon. This marked the highest midday turnout since 1977. Tens of thousands of Israelis living abroad also arrived to vote. Approximately 330,000 young Israelis, many facing compulsory military service, are eligible to vote for the first time.

The political landscape remains fragmented, meaning no single party is expected to win an outright majority. This situation could lead to weeks of negotiations. Arab-led parties, which represent about 20% of the population, may emerge as key decision makers. Mansour Abbas, the head of the Islamist Ra’am party, said his vote would change the government and hoped for turnout above 70% in Arab communities.

Itamar Ben-Gvir, the far-right national security minister, warned that it would be Mansour Abbas's government if Netanyahu's coalition did not win. Ben-Gvir is known for his strong stance on Palestinian detainees and his comments regarding the population of Gaza.

Yona Adam, whose daughter Mapal was killed in the 2023 attack, held a moment of silence with families in Tel Aviv. She urged voters to remember those whose voices are no more. In Kiryat Shmona, a border town and Netanyahu stronghold, one voter tore down a poster of Eisenkot. Eisenkot's Yashar party filed an urgent complaint over nine incidents where ballot slips were missing or damaged, suggesting a deliberate sabotage attempt. Dean Livne, the acting director-general of the elections committee, said reports of irregularities were much lower than in previous elections.