Briefing, October 23, 2026
What changed in Israel's 2026 election that day, in a few sentences. Each sentence links the report it rests on.
Polls
According to a Maariv poll published by The Jerusalem Post, the opposition bloc expanded its lead to 54 seats while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc dropped to 48 seats, leaving both sides short of a Knesset majority. Jerusalem PostJewish Insider
In polling reported by Haaretz, 56 percent of religious Zionists who backed Likud in 2022 plan to support Ben-Gvir or Bezalel Smotrich, while Shas faces a challenge to its status in Netivot. HaaretzHaaretz
Courts and the election committee
Israel's elections committee rejected a petition from the Likud party seeking to block television networks from broadcasting a rally held by bereaved families demanding an October 7 commission of inquiry. HaaretzHaaretz
Beyond the campaign
Itamar Ben-Gvir told The Jerusalem Post in an interview that Netanyahu must form a government with him on the right instead of aligning with Gadi Eisenkot. Jerusalem Post
Ahmad Tibi presented steps aimed at preventing Netanyahu from continuing in office as head of a caretaker government if neither bloc achieves a parliamentary majority. Jerusalem Post
Parties and candidates
Following an attack near Hebron in which two Israeli soldiers were killed, Netanyahu ordered preparations for a full West Bank lockdown and promised a major military campaign. HaaretzTimes of IsraelHaaretz