2026 Elections

PM's Tisha B'Av message:

'Baseless hatred destroyed us, love rebuilt us'

In a Tisha B'Av address, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to pursue a broad national government and urged greater unity.

Three meetings in two weeks

Are four top figures heading toward a joint ticket?

Over the past two weeks, at least three meetings have been held between Benny Gantz and Dedi Simchi, and Yuli Edelstein and Ayelet Shaked, in an effort to form a unified political slate.

President Herzog:

Threats to election integrity - from within and without

President Isaac Herzog delivers a special statement this evening from his home in Jerusalem, addressing divisions among the public ahead of the upcoming elections.

MK Moshe Tur-Paz:

'Unite the entire Zionist camp'

MK Moshe Tur-Paz calls for the formation of a broad Zionist government, emphasizing the integration of haredim while setting a clear condition for their inclusion in a future coalition.

Poll:

Eisenkot’s party continues to surge

A Channel 12 News poll shows the Yashar! party, led by Gadi Eisenkot, rising to 24 seats, maintaining its spot as Israel’s largest party. Likud follows closely behind with 23 seats.

Likud approves 8 handpicked slots for Netanyahu

The Likud Constitution Committee approves the Prime Minister's proposal, granting him eight reserved spots on the candidate list within the top 30 positions.

Poll:

10 seats for Otzma Yehudit

The "Yashar" party secures 22 seats followed closely by Likud with 21. The right-wing bloc wins 51 seats, while the anti-Netanyahu bloc garners 55.

Liberman charges:

'Netanyahu will use Shin Bet against political rivals'

In a TV interview, the Yisrael Beytenu chairman claims that Netanyahu may use the Shin Bet against political opponents in the upcoming election.

Ahead of primaries:

Democrats infighting goes up a notch

Yariv Oppenheimer accuses rival Naor Narkis of abandoning left-wing values, citing past support for joining Netanyahu and other controversies.

'We support Netanyahu, period'

Deri: Eisenkot heads a camp driven by hatred of Judaism

Shas chairman declares that his party remains loyal to the right-wing bloc and its leader, asserting that a broad Netanyahu-led government should be formed after the elections.

Following late-night drama

Dissolution of Knesset approved

The 25th Knesset has been officially dissolved in a 62-0 vote, kicking off the election recess after last-minute political chaos in the plenum.

Poll:

Smotrich surges, Shas weakens

According to a Channel 13 News poll, Shas drops to seven seats while the Religious Zionist party surges to six.

Bennett’s red line: Falling below 13 seats

A senior party official from “Together" claims behind closed doors that dropping below 13-14 seats would make Gadi Eisenkot the frontrunner to lead the bloc; the party denies the report.

MK Avichay Buaron:

'The primaries are the secret to Likud's strength'

MK Avichay Buaron says the voice of Likud members must be preserved, while also backing limited reserved spots to strengthen the party's election slate.

Poll:

Ofer Winter below threshold, Edelstein passes

A new party led by Erdan, Shaked, and Edelstein is projected to draw seats away from Netanyahu, Eisenkot, Smotrich, Ben Gvir, and Liberman.

'Netanyahu's a liar'

Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef: 'You can trust Eisenkot'

Shas Council of Torah Sages member Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef is poised to throw his support behind Gadi Eisenkot in the race for prime minister, as frustration with Prime Minister Netanyahu grows.

Hilli Tropper: Government investing too much in Judea and Samaria

Hilli Tropper explains why he left Blue and White party, says he is open to additional alliances but wants 'Zionist parties only' in next coalition.

Likud reserved spots

Netanyahu reserving four slate positions for Smotrich

The Prime Minister is seeking approval for eight reserved spots on the Likud slate - half of which are intended to enable a technical merger with the Religious Zionist party and reserve spots for its candidates.

Report:

These are the MKs Netanyahu wants to remove from the Likud

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu aims to improve Likud's image, by removing four ministers and an MK, Channel 12 News says. Likud: Fake news.

Report: MK Dan Illouz leaving Likud

MK Dan Illouz expected to announce that he won't run in Likud primaries, Channel 12 News report claims.

Yoaz Hendel:

'I will not hand Netanyahu a 61-seat majority'

In an interview following his political merger with Chili Tropper, the former minister lays out his conditions for joining a coalition and launches a sharp critique of the current government.

New poll: Yashar! party outpaces Likud

For the first time, Maariv poll shows 'Yashar!' party with more support than the Likud.

Former Justice Min.: Smotrich deserves to win 15 Knesset seats

Former Justice Minister Haim Ramon praises Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich for advancing 'most far-reaching annexation measures' in Judea and Samaria.

Poll:

Hendel-Tropper alliance falls below electoral threshold

The joint bid by Yoaz Hendel and Chili Tropper fails to pass the electoral threshold. For the first time, Eisenkot's party edges past Likud by a single seat.

Mansour Abbas: Ra'am will win at least 7 seats in elections

Ra'am chairman MK Mansour Abbas says party will win at least seven seats in next elections, allowing it to join coalition replacing current 'fascist' government.

Tropper, Hendel announce joint run for Knesset

MK Chili Tropper and 'Reservists' leader Yoaz Hendel, announce joint run, say alliance aims to establish broad Zionist government and help create new political force.

Report:

Ben Gvir offers Gotliv guaranteed slot on Otzma Yehudit slate

Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has offered MK Tally Gotliv a guaranteed spot on the Otzma Yehudit list if she defects from Likud.

'Don't embarrass yourselves'

Former MK Oren Hazan's warning

Former MK Oren Hazan argues that a party comprised of Likud defectors could topple right-wing governance: "They are doing immense damage."

Poll:

Hypothetical Edelstein, Shaked, and Erdan party clinches 6 seats

A new party led by Yuli Edelstein, Ayelet Shaked, and Gilad Erdan would win six seats, drawing support away from Likud, Yashar!, Together, and the Religious Zionist party.

Edelstein: We will not provide anyone with a majority

MK Yuli Edelstein, who recently announced that he will not run with the Likud party again, says he will not resign Knesset.

Hendel and Gantz talks fall through

Negotiations between Yoaz Hendel, Benny Gantz and Dedy Simhi ended without agreement, reportedly over cooperation with the haredi parties.

Crisis between Ta'al and Hadash: Dispute over the Joint List

Ta'al Central Committee criticizes the conduct of Hadash and its secretary-general, demanding the disclosure of the agreement signed with Balad amid a crisis in talks to form a joint ticket.

Edelstein outlines his new path

Following his announcement that he is leaving Likud, Yuli Edelstein releases a detailed statement mapping out his new political direction and guiding principles.

'Embarking on new path'

Yuli Edelstein leaving Likud

MK Yuli Edelstein announces he is leaving Likud to forge a new political path.

New details emerge on new right-wing party

New party “Leyamin Zion" officially registered amid efforts to fill right-wing political vacuum, with talks underway with senior figures and internal polling suggesting potential for double-digit Knesset seats, source tells Arutz Sheva

Rabbis weigh new party

Rabbi Benny Kalmanson said he and other Zionist rabbis are exploring a new right-wing party, citing disappointment with the Religious Zionist Party.

Smotrich looks to war-era figure ahead of election

Bezalel Smotrich reportedly offered Rabbi Avi Zarbiv, an IDF reservist, rabbinical court judge, and Gaza war figure, the second spot on his party's list.

Poll:

Close race at the top, opposition supporters more likely to vote

Maariv poll puts Likud in the lead with 21, closely followed by Yashar and Together. 80% of those who support opposition parties plan to vote, while only 72% of coalition supporters do.

MK Bismuth sends unusual letter to Shin Bet Director

Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chairman sends message to Shin Bet Director asking for a discussion on election interference.

Eisenkot launches campaign

'I will be the Prime Minister of all Israelis'

At the launch event for his campaign for prime minister, Gadi Eisenkot declared that he would work to unite Israeli society, establish a broad-based government, and strengthen Israel's national security.

Hagay Lober:

'We will not allow a government of half the nation'

Hagay Lober, father of a fallen soldier, announced a new party and urged Netanyahu and Eisenkot to form a unity government after October 7.

Ayelet Shaked:

I will return to politics only in a right-wing party

Former Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked rules out joining 'Together' party led by former prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid.

Likud gains as Bennett's 'Together' continues decline

New Maariv poll shows Likud rising, coalition gaining strength, as 'Together' party led by former prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid continues decline.

No arrests of deserters on election day

The chairman of the Central Elections Committee said, following discussions with the Attorney General and the police commissioner, that on Election Day there will be no enforcement operations against deserters.

Voter turnout will determine the outcome of the elections

Even when voters do not change their political preference at all, simply whether they show up at the polls or stay home is what decides the election.

Arab party list takes aim at competitor

Leader of Arab 'Hadash' party says United Arab List coordinating actions with Naftali Bennett, Avigdor Liberman.

Trump says he'll probably support Netanyahu in November elections

In interview with Israel's Kan News, US President Donald Trump says he is likely to support Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bid for re-election, stressing the two have a good relationship.

Pitfall of Expectations:

Poll and analysis: The Right climbs onto the fence

A new Knesset mandates poll shows the right-wing bloc falling to 58 seats. Direct Polls CEO Tzuriel Sharon links the decline to disappointment among right-wing voters over the US-Iran agreement and Operation Roaring Lion.

Likud hits lowest poll result since 2025

New poll shows Likud dropping three seats, as coalition parties' total seats remain stable.

Likud clarifies: Netanyahu will run in the coming elections

Likud party responds to US President Donald Trump's statement, says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to run in the next elections. 'With G-d's help, he will win.'