Israeli parliamentary elections to be held by October 27

Israel is set to hold its next parliamentary elections no later than October 27, though earlier dates have been contemplated. Current opinion polls indicate a challenging path for both Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc and the opposition to secure a clear majority, reflecting the common necessity for multi-party coalitions in Israeli politics.

A significant development in the political landscape is the rise of former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot. His new centrist party, "Yashar!" (meaning "Straight!" in Hebrew), has seen a rapid surge in popularity. A recent poll even placed "Yashar!" in first place, ahead of Netanyahu's right-wing nationalist Likud party.

The 66-year-old Eisenkot, who served as the IDF's chief of staff from 2015 to 2019, transitioned into politics. He studied political science in Haifa and is considered an expert on Lebanon's Hezbollah. Eisenkot, born in Tiberias, is of Moroccan descent, a father of five, and is perceived as a grounded individual. His personal tragedy, having lost his son and two nephews in the Gaza war, contrasts with Prime Minister Netanyahu's situation, whose son Yair has been living abroad since the war began in October 2023 and did not serve in a combat unit.

The Knesset is scheduled to hold its final session before the vote on July 17. The shifting political dynamics and the emergence of figures like Eisenkot suggest a potentially competitive electoral environment.