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Israel

October 31, 2026

Tel Aviv 10:02 pm

21°C

Jewel SAMAD / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Could Israel’s election deadlock threaten its resilient economy?

The country's political gridlock leaves unresolved who will address problems beneath robust headline growth figures, including fiscal pressures, high living costs and growing international isolation that economists warn could erode future prosperity.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

China's President Xi Jinping (R) and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands ahead of their talks at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on March 21, 2017.

What Israel’s election means for its China ties

Israeli-Chinese ties face constraints that a change of government in Israel alone would not resolve.

Eisenkot - Netanyahu

Analysis

How Netanyahu is trying to discredit Arab parties in bid to block Eisenkot

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking to discredit the Arab parties' unprecedented electoral breakthrough by casting their victory as illegitimate.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Latest News

Explainer

How Israel’s Arab parties could help oust Netanyahu after election gains

Yousef Jabareen, leader of Israel's Arab-led Joint List political alliance (C-L), and other members cheer at the alliance's campaign headquarters in the northern Israeli city of Nazareth on Oct. 27, 2026.

After Israel vote, Trump says will 'look' at helping Netanyahu form unity government

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Samuel Wendel

Senior Analyst, Middle East Business & Tech

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Adam Lucente

News and Business Correspondent

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Jack Dutton

Chief Business Correspondent

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Ben Caspit

Israel Columnist

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

Rina Bassist

Associate Editor (Israel)

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images

Israel election limbo drags down shekel, stocks

The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange’s benchmark TA-125 index fell roughly 2.5% on Wednesday, plunging in early trading before recovering some losses later in the day.

Trump Netanyahu

Analysis

Israel’s deadlock: Could Trump broker Netanyahu-Eisenkot deal?

With most of the votes counted, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his rival, Gadi Eisenkot, find themselves in a political stalemate that may only be resolved if the US president pressures them into forming a unity government.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Israelis pass by campaign posters featuring Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Yashar Party leader, Gadi Eisenkot, near a polling station during Israel's general elections on October 27, 2026 in Hadera, Israel.

Israel exit polls show Netanyahu, Eisenkot short of majority as Arab parties surge

Likud is projected to emerge as the largest party, but neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc nor the opposition appears able to secure a parliamentary majority.

Tents sheltering Palestinians displaced by the Hamas-Israeli war are pitched between the rubble of destroyed buildings in the Jabalia camp, northern Gaza Strip, Oct. 20, 2026.

Analysis

What Israel's election could mean for Palestinians in Gaza, West Bank

The ouster of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could provide Palestinians some relief, but is unlikely to improve their prospects for statehood.

By Rosaleen Carroll

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East

ADORA, WEST BANK - OCTOBER 27: Israeli children ride a bicycle and a scooter past an election campaign stand of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party on October 27, 2026 in the Israeli settlement of Adora, West Bank. Voting is underway to choose 120 members of the Knesset, which will determine the make-up of the government that succeeds incumbent Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing coalition. Around 500,000 Israeli settlers living in the occupied West Bank and are entitled to ca

Live Updates

Israel sees record voter turnout as Netanyahu faces crucial test

For the first time since the Oct. 7 Hamas-led attack, Israelis are heading to the polls in elections widely seen as crucial to the country’s future.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan receives Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Turkish House in New York, on Sept. 19, 2023.

Analysis

What’s at stake for Turkey as Israel heads to the polls?

Israel’s Oct. 27 election could offer a chance to ease tensions with Ankara, but competing ambitions in Syria and beyond threaten to push the two US allies toward a dangerous confrontation.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

A bus bearing a campaign poster featuring Israeli Prime Minister and Likud party chairman Benjamin Netanyahu alongside US President Donald Trump drives through Jerusalem on October 26, 2026, on the eve of Israel's legislative elections. (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP via Getty Images)

Explainer

Netanyahu victory or another vote? 5 scenarios for Israel’s election

Arab turnout could prove decisive as polls project 13 to 15 seats for the two Arab parties, up from nine Arab lawmakers in the current Knesset.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrives for the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly gathering, UN Headquarters, New York, Sept. 22, 2026.

Analysis

How Israel’s elections could bring thaw with Syria

The next Israeli government could have an opportunity to secure several diplomatic wins involving the United States and Iran by improving relations with Syria.

Ezgi Akin

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO