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

By Orestes Georgiou Daniel Published on 12/07/2026 - 20:59 GMT+2 Share Comments Add Euronews on Google Share Facebook Twitter Flipboard Send Reddit Linkedin Messenger Telegram VK Bluesky Threads Whatsapp Israel will hold national elections on 27 October, the last date allowed by law to hold national elections. The Knesset is set to end its current term on 17 July. Israel's parliament has said the country will hold national elections on 27 October, the last date allowed by law. The vote is widely seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership since the Gaza war erupted in 2023. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT The Knesset (Israel's parliament) 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. "Since the current Knesset is expected to serve its full term and the next general election is already set by law for 27 October, with no intention of shortening the legislature's tenure, there is no need to enact a Knesset Dissolution Law in the usual sense," parliament said. The 76-year-old Netanyahu is already the country's longest-serving prime minister, having been in the role across multiple terms. He has declared his intention to run again. Netanyahu's government - one of the most right-wing coalitions in the country's history - has been racing to pass a series of bills in a bid to boost his alliance and enter the election from a position of strength. The Israeli prime minister said last month that 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." His reaching across the aisle is widely seen as trying to re-position his campaign around national unity rather than ideology. However, recent polls have shown that a majority of Israelis want him out of office, with former military chief Gadi Eisenkot emerging as his main contender. The Israeli public was largely critical of the ceasefire that halted the war Israel and the US launched against Iran in late February. Many saw the deal between Tehran and Washington as unfavourable to Israel. There is also lingering discontent over the security failures during his government's tenure that surrounded the 7 October 2023 attacks by Palestinian militant group Hamas on southern Israel. Go to accessibility shortcuts Share Comments Add Euronews on Google Read more Israelis mark 1,000 days since 7 October attack Israel declassifies Entebbe raid documents on eve of 50th anniversary 'All of Lebanon must burn,' Israeli minister says after IDF reports four soldiers killed Israel Knesset Election Benjamin Netanyahu