Israel to hold elections on 27 October in what is seen as referendum on Netanyahu leadership

Israel's parliament, the Knesset, has announced that national elections will take place on 27 October, the last date permitted by law. The vote is widely seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership since the Gaza war erupted in 2023.

The Knesset is set to end its current term on 17 July, allowing the ruling coalition to complete a full four-year term for the first time in decades. Parliament stated that since the current Knesset is expected to serve its full term and the next election is already set by law, there is no need to pass a Knesset Dissolution Law.

Netanyahu, 76, is already the country's longest-serving prime minister, having held the office across multiple terms. He has declared his intention to run again. His government, one of the most right-wing coalitions in Israel's history, has been rushing to pass a series of bills to strengthen his alliance and enter the election from a position of strength.

Last month, the prime minister said he intended to "establish a broad national government, not a right-wing, not a left-wing government that depends on Arab parties, but a broad national government." This move is widely seen as an attempt to reposition his campaign around national unity rather than ideology.

However, recent polls show that a majority of Israelis want him out of office, with former military chief Gadi Eisenkot emerging as his main contender. The Israeli public has largely been critical of the ceasefire that halted the war Israel and the US launched against Iran in late February. Many see the deal between Tehran and Washington as unfavorable to Israel.

There is also lingering discontent over the security failures during his government's tenure surrounding the 7 October 2023 attacks by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on southern Israel.