Israel is officially entering the election campaign. After months of speculation, attempts to bring forward the elections, and repeated coalition crises, it is now certain: The Knesset election will take place on the legally scheduled date of October 27, 2026.
The mere fact that the election is taking place as scheduled is a historic event. It is the first Knesset election in 38 years to be held on the legally prescribed date, and the first government in 53 years to complete its full term. In Israeli politics, where governments have repeatedly collapsed prematurely, this is a remarkable precedent.
Behind this historical peculiarity, however, lies an election campaign that could be among the most dramatic Israel has ever experienced.
Political shakeup
The biggest surprise of this summer is undoubtedly Gadi Eisenkot. His new party, Yashar, has quickly risen to the top of the polls and is even ahead of Likud...
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