Briefing, October 22, 2026
What changed in Israel's 2026 election that day, in a few sentences. Each sentence links the report it rests on.
Polls
Recent television and media polls show candidate Gadi Eisenkot leading Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, though both Eisenkot's bloc and Netanyahu's right-wing bloc remain short of the 61 seats needed for a parliamentary majority. Times of IsraelHaaretzJerusalem Post
Parties and candidates
Ofer Winter's People of Israel party and the Reservists/Economic Party are hovering near the 3.25 percent electoral threshold, while Hendel stated his party will only join a coalition of Zionist parties and does not rule out Netanyahu. Jerusalem PostJerusalem Post
The Shin Bet removed social media accounts to block foreign election interference, while reports indicated that fake accounts previously used against Iran's regime have begun amplifying Netanyahu's campaign messaging. Jerusalem PostHaaretzTimes of Israel
Beyond the campaign
Smotrich said he would not rule out forming a government with Eisenkot as long as his partners in the right-wing bloc are not boycotted, while Netanyahu stated that the next defense minister should come from Likud and not Itamar Ben-Gvir. Jerusalem PostJerusalem Post
Addressing defense matters ahead of the vote, Yair Lapid stated that available intelligence does not justify a strike against Iran before election day, following warnings that an attack could constitute political interference. Jerusalem Post