Jerusalem, October 2, 2026: Israel’s political landscape is entering a crucial phase as the country prepares for its national election on October 27, with security, the wars in the region and the future direction of the government dominating the campaign.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains at the centre of the political contest as parties prepare for the final weeks of campaigning. The election comes after several years of conflict involving Gaza, Lebanon and Iran, making national security one of the most prominent issues facing voters.

Recent political developments have also highlighted differences between Netanyahu and his challengers over how Israel should respond to regional threats and manage relations with neighbouring countries.

One of the major developments came from Washington, where U.S. President Donald Trump declined to publicly endorse Netanyahu ahead of the Israeli election. Trump nevertheless praised Netanyahu’s resilience and highlighted the close relationship between the United States and Israel. The decision not to issue an endorsement represents a notable change from Trump’s previous public support for the Israeli prime minister.

Security concerns have gained additional attention following Netanyahu’s recent warning that Israel could face attacks ahead of the election. Opposition leader Yair Lapid subsequently received a security briefing from the prime minister. Israeli military sources have indicated that they were not aware of a specific imminent threat matching the broad warning.

The issue of election participation has also become politically significant. Israel’s Supreme Court recently heard arguments concerning the candidacy of Balad leader Sami Abu Shehadeh. The court advised him to withdraw his candidacy after questioning his statements following the October 7, 2023 attack. Abu Shehadeh rejected the accusations and said he opposes violence.

Meanwhile, political parties across Israel are attempting to consolidate support before polling day. The contest involves Netanyahu’s Likud and several opposition groups led by figures including Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid.

Security policy is expected to remain an important issue throughout the campaign. Analysts say the October 7 attack and the conflicts that followed have fundamentally changed the country’s political debate, with parties placing considerable emphasis on national defence, military preparedness and relations with regional powers.

The upcoming election will therefore take place against an unusually complicated regional backdrop. Developments involving Iran, Gaza, Lebanon and Syria could continue influencing political discussions during the remaining weeks of campaigning.

At the same time, domestic issues—including the functioning of government institutions, military service, judicial policy and economic pressures resulting from prolonged conflict—are expected to remain part of the political debate.

With voting day approaching, Israeli political parties are entering the final stage of campaigning. The outcome will determine the composition of the next Knesset and the coalition negotiations that follow the election.