Israel votes in pivotal Oct 27 election as right‑wing surge looms

Turnout is expected to exceed the 71% of the 2022 election as voters decide the future of Netanyahu’s right‑wing coalition.

By Felo News Desk · Published Tue, 27 Oct 2026 06:39:31 GMT

Israel began voting on Tuesday, Oct 27, 2026, in a parliamentary election that is the first since the Oct 7, 2023 Hamas attack and the ensuing war in Gaza, according to Al Jazeera and the Sydney Morning Herald.

What happened

Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. local time (4 a.m. AEDT) and will close at 10 p.m. (6 a.m. AEDT Wednesday), with voting conducted in person for the majority of the 6.8 million eligible voters, the SMH reports. The election will fill all 120 Knesset seats.

What the reports add

Al Jazeera notes that the vote comes amid a “shift to the right” that dominates the campaign, highlighting Netanyahu’s bid to extend his tenure despite an International Criminal Court warrant and a corruption trial. The outlet also mentions disputes over ultra‑Orthodox military service and attempts to exclude Arab‑led parties.

The SMH adds that turnout in the previous election was 4.8 million (71%) and expects higher participation this time because of the heightened stakes. It also explains that only diplomats and defence personnel abroad may vote by mail, unlike Australia’s growing use of postal voting.

What was said

Al Jazeera reports that Netanyahu has framed the election as a choice between security and “eliminating” Iran’s regime, a line that echoes his earlier statements to U.S. officials. The outlet does not provide a direct quote.

The SMH cites no new quotations but references a television campaign ad that featured Netanyahu opposite his main rival, Gadi Eisenkot.

How it came about

Felo’s earlier coverage on Oct 10 reported that roughly 550,000 first‑time voters, many aged 18‑22, lean sharply right, with a Channel 12 poll showing 74% describing their views as right or centre‑right. A poll published on Oct 25 by Agam Labs projected Netanyahu’s bloc to win 52‑54 seats, short of a majority, suggesting possible coalition scenarios. Another Oct 25 analysis described the election as a referendum on Netanyahu, noting his ongoing corruption trial and criticism over the Oct 7 security failures.

These pieces provide context for the current vote, showing how demographic trends and polling data have set the stage for a contest that could reshape Israel’s right‑wing dominance and its war‑time policies.

Key facts

Voting began at 7 a.m. local time on Oct 27, 2026 and ends at 10 p.m. (smh.com.au)
The election will fill all 120 Knesset seats. (smh.com.au)
Netanyahu seeks to extend his tenure despite an ICC war‑crimes warrant and a corruption trial. (aljazeera.com)
First‑time voters (≈550,000) are leaning sharply right, according to a Channel 12 poll. (aljazeera.com)