Parliamentary Elections Underway in Israel

Voting has officially begun for the election of the 26th Knesset (parliament) in Israel.

Most polling stations opened at 07:00 local time and will remain open until 22:00. Approximately 7.3 million Israeli citizens are eligible to vote.

These are among the most significant parliamentary elections in the country's history, taking place against the backdrop of the terrorist attacks of October 7, 2023, and the subsequent large-scale regional conflicts.

According to Reuters, no single party in Israel has ever secured an outright majority on its own; consequently, governments are formed through coalitions, with negotiations often dragging on for weeks. Every seat in the Knesset is of critical importance. If a candidate for Prime Minister fails to form a government, the opportunity is extended to others. Should the formation of a government prove impossible, new elections are called, while the incumbent cabinet continues to serve in an interim capacity.