Netanyahu and Eisenkot compete in Israeli general election
Israel Votes in High-Stakes General Election
Israelis head to the polls on Tuesday, October 27, 2023, in a general election that will determine the country's leadership and direction, shaped by security concerns, the rising cost of living, and the nation's political future, Le Soir reported. Voters are casting ballots for the first time since the October 7, 2023, attacks, with Benjamin Netanyahu seeking a seventh mandate amid deep societal divisions.
The ballot presents a stark choice between the incumbent leadership and a push for systemic change. The Prime Minister relies on backing from the far-right, ultra-Orthodox factions, and Donald Trump, while facing mounting pressure over domestic struggles and foreign policy.
Where do Israelis place Netanyahu and Eisenkot on the political spectrum?Average placement (1 = far left, 10 = far right)All voters🟦 Netanyahu: 7.57🟥 Eisenkot: 4.94Netanyahu bloc voters🟦 7.62🟥 3.52Opposition voters🟦 7.10🟥 5.60via Hamadad/Chan13
Netanyahu Defends Record and Warns Iran
Campaigning on his security credentials, Benjamin Netanyahu defended his tenure and issued a stark warning regarding regional threats. The Prime Minister asserted that Iran might attempt to disrupt the electoral process and cautioned Tehran against testing Israel’s resolve, promising disproportionate and devastating strikes, warning them: Je les mets en garde, ne nous mettez pas à l’épreuve, vous subirez des frappes disproportionnées, bien plus que vous pouvez l’imaginer. Ce sera dévastateur
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Despite maintaining a loyal base in areas like Dimona in the Negev desert, where supporters assert that personne ne peut remplacer Bibi, il n’y a personne qui soit en mesure de prendre sa place
and declare J’ai le Likoud dans le sang et dans l’âme. Je ne voterai que pour Bibi, car c’est Bibi qui nous a amenés là où nous sommes aujourd’hui
, Netanyahu faces defections among his historical electorate. His tenure has been marked by contentious judicial overhaul attempts in early 2023, the security collapse of October 7, and ongoing international isolation regarding military campaigns in Gaza.
Eisenkot Pledges National Reconciliation and an Inquiry into October 7
Challenging the incumbent, opposition leader and former army chief Gadi Eisenkot campaigned on a platform of national reconciliation and institutional reform. During his final rally in Tel Aviv, Eisenkot appealed directly to Likud voters by emphasizing that the nation cannot continue on its current trajectory, telling them: au fond de vous, vous savez vous aussi qu’Israël ne peut pas continuer ainsi
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Eisenkot pledged to establish an independent state commission of inquiry into the failures of October 7, addressing a central demand of victims’ families and critics. Voters seeking stability view Eisenkot as a reassuring figure capable of restoring normalcy, with supporters like 66-year-old jewelry maker Yael Shkedi stating, J’ai le sentiment qu’il est un pilier pour nous (…) c’est quelqu’un en qui je peux avoir confiance
, and adding, Au milieu de tout ce chaos, ce qui compte vraiment pour moi, c’est ce sentiment d’avoir quelqu’un capable, d’une manière ou d’une autre, de rassembler tout le monde, un peu comme une figure paternelle
. Tech reservist Chen Sharon likewise affirms, Nous avons besoin de quelqu’un aux valeurs duquel nous pouvons réellement croire
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Arab Minority Weighs Impact at the Ballot Box
In Kfar Qasim, members of the Arab minority expressed a heightened awareness of their political leverage in this closely contested race. Franceinfo reported that community members feel their votes carry unprecedented weight in determining the composition of the incoming legislature, with one local voter declaring, C’est la première fois que mon vote compte autant
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Voters across the political spectrum confront an unsettled political environment as polling stations close and tabulation begins.
Netanyahu and Eisenkot agree on Israel’s enemies. But they represent two radically different Israels.Netanyahu’s: increasingly religious, dominated by the far right, subsidizing those who neither work nor serve.Eisenkot’s: more inclusive, demanding shared obligations and the…