What’s at stake in the Israeli election?

Thursday, October 22, 2026, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. EDT 
Online only: https://www.brookings.edu/events/whats-at-stake-in-the-israeli-election 

On October 27, Israelis will vote in their first national election in four years. In the aftermath of the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel, the ensuing war in Gaza, the conflict with Iran, and mass protests over judicial reform, the upcoming Knesset election could be Israel’s most consequential in recent history. While polling shows a close race between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party and former Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party, it is unclear which party could secure enough seats to form a governing coalition in a deeply divided political landscape. Policy debates continue as Israelis contend with critical issues of national and regional security, accountability for the October 7 attacks, military conscription for ultra-Orthodox Jews, governance and judicial reform, and the escalating cost of living.

On October 22, the Center for Middle East Policy at Brookings will host a webinar discussion to break down the policies, parties, and polling guiding the upcoming Israeli national election. Panelists will discuss what Israel’s national conversation is looking like, how different voting blocs and ideological groups are responding, and potential paths to a parliamentary majority.   

Viewers can submit questions via email to events@brookings.edu.

This webinar is the first in a two-part series. The second webinar, “Israel after the election: What’s next for U.S.-Israel relations?,” will take place on Thursday, November 5, with a focus on how the outcome of the Israeli national election could impact the U.S.-Israel relationship.