Netanyahu Faces Term Limits in Knesset Race

Israelis cast ballots on Tuesday in a parliamentary election that pits incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against a fragmented opposition bloc. The contest is defined less by traditional left-right divisions and more by voter preference for or against Netanyahu, who has served as prime minister for 19 of the last 30 years. Current polling indicates the two camps are separated by a narrow margin, making the outcome of the 120-seat Knesset race uncertain.

Gadi Eisenkot, a former Israel Defense Forces chief of staff, leads the opposition challenge. He entered politics only four years ago and represents the party Yashar, a name that translates to straight or direct. Eisenkot proposes US-style term limits for the prime minister, arguing that power corrupts. His campaign emphasizes a direct style, contrasting with the rhetorical approaches of his predecessors. Noa Sadeh, a 56-year-old attendee at a rally in Modi'in, stated she is tired of politicians who focus on speaking and wants a leader who focuses on action.

The opposition coalition includes former prime minister Naftali Bennett and Avigdor Lieberman. Both men have historical ties to the nationalist right and previously worked closely with Netanyahu before their relationships deteriorated. On the far right, Itamar Ben-Gvir’s Otzma Yehudit party also frames its message against the current leader. Yishai Fleisher, a party representative, told voters in Bet Shemesh that Netanyahu has drifted left and needs to be pulled back toward the right. He outlined proposals including more settlements in the West Bank and Gaza, a ministry to encourage the voluntary departure of Palestinians, the death penalty, and increased weapons for Jewish civilians.

Netanyahu’s campaign has focused on framing the choice between his bloc and the opposition. His posters feature a rhyming slogan contrasting Yamin, the right, with Falastin, Palestine. This imagery places opposition leaders alongside the heads of two parties representing Palestinian citizens of Israel, who comprise about one-fifth of the population. The closing weeks of the campaign have centered on whether anti-Netanyahu Jewish parties, which are forecast to outpoll his bloc but lack a majority, will form a government with mainly Arab parties. Pro-Netanyahu media outlets, including Channel 14, have kept his opponents on the defensive.

Tensions rose this week when Yinon Magal, a figure on Channel 14, referred to Eisenkot as a Moroccan monkey. Speakers at the Modi'in rally mentioned the slur, but Eisenkot did not repeat it publicly. Supporters viewed his silence as restraint, while critics suggested he may not fully grasp the intensity of his opposition. The close polling has puzzled observers given the events of the past two years.

The deadliest attack in Israel’s history occurred on October 7, 2023, during Netanyahu’s watch. Subsequent war in Gaza resulted in more than 70,000 Palestinian deaths, with Israel stating a third were Hamas combatants. The conflict did not eliminate Hamas, and Israel’s international standing has declined. Iran’s nuclear threat remains intact despite previous promises. Netanyahu also faces legal challenges from his attempt to curb the supreme court, the Qatargate affair involving his aides, and an ongoing corruption trial. Oded Levi, who voted for Netanyahu in 2022 but attended the Eisenkot rally, said the current prime minister is responsible for the outcome.

Netanyahu’s political durability rests on a loyal base built over three decades. This base has not wavered even after reports that he received credible warnings of the October 7 attack and failed to act. His allies promote an account claiming army and intelligence chiefs kept him in the dark, a claim observers describe as unfounded. He is widely regarded as a skilled coalition builder, and many expect him to outmaneuver rivals in post-election talks.

Opposition hopes include a surge of liberal, secular expatriate Israelis flying home to vote. Pollsters do not capture this group, which could prove decisive if the result hinges on a single seat. On Thursday, a state ceremony marked the 1995 assassination of Yitzhak Rabin. Netanyahu stayed away and sent a low-ranking minister. Yair Golan, leader of the Democrats and a former general, expressed optimism that opposition leaders can agree on a regional strategic process for long-term security, though he avoided using the term peace process.

The word peace has been tainted for many Israelis, but it has not vanished from public discourse. A video shared this week showed scores of young Israelis at a Negev music festival singing Shir LaShalom, a song Rabin performed before his assassination 31 years ago. For some voters, this cultural moment and the full flights home suggest a potential shift in the political era.