Who will lead Israel? Meet the contenders

Tomorrow, Israelis head to the polls for the first time since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack. For months, Benjamin Netanyahu looked set to lose. 

But the race has tightened, and none of his rivals has a clear road to power. Here is who’s who in an election that could reshape Israel, or leave it stuck in limbo.

Benjamin Netanyahu, the survivor

At 77, “Bibi” is fighting the battle of his life. In power for most of the period since 2009, he is the face of Israel on the world stage and the most divisive figure at home.

His supporters see him as the only leader strong enough to protect Israel in a hostile region. His critics see a prime minister who failed on October 7, who is on trial for corruption, which he denies, and who is wanted by the International Criminal Court over alleged war crimes in Gaza, accusations he rejects.

The attack shattered his image as “Mr Security,” and his Likud party has slipped in the polls. But never underestimate Netanyahu. He is promising a “broad national” government if he wins. And if the vote ends in deadlock, he could remain caretaker prime minister for months. For him, a draw is almost a victory.

The challengers

Gadi Eisenkot, the soldier with a clean image. At 66, the former army chief embodies everything Netanyahu is not: modest roots, an outsider’s profile and a family that paid a terrible price, after losing a son in combat in Gaza. His new centrist party is called Yashar, meaning “straight” or “honest” in Hebrew. The message to voters is hard to miss.

Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, the odd couple. One is a right-wing former commando and tech millionaire, once Netanyahu’s aide. The other is a centrist former prime minister. They already toppled Netanyahu together in 2021. Under the banner of their new party, Together, they promise to heal a traumatised nation.

Avigdor Lieberman, the hawk turned foe. Once Netanyahu’s close ally, the 68-year-old former defence minister quit the government in 2018, accusing his boss of being too soft on Gaza. Today he is one of his fiercest critics, drawing strong support from Israel’s Russian-speaking community.

Yair Golan, the hero of October 7. The 64-year-old former general became famous for rescuing people during the Hamas attack. He now leads the Democrats, built from the remains of the historic Labour party and the left-wing Meretz.

Netanyahu’s allies: the far right

At his side stand two ministers who make Western capitals uneasy. Bezalel Smotrich, 46, minister of finance, has driven the rapid expansion of West Bank settlements and openly hopes to bury the idea of a Palestinian state. Itamar Ben-Gvir, 50, minister of national security, convicted in 2007 of incitement to racism against Arabs, has pushed for the death penalty for Palestinian militants and harsher prison conditions. Both have called for Palestinians to leave Gaza and for Israel to resettle the enclave.

The ultra-Orthodox: a costly partnership

Netanyahu has long relied on two ultra-Orthodox parties, Shas and United Torah Judaism. But their insistence on exempting yeshiva students from military service has become explosive after three years of war, as reservists are called up again and again.

The kingmakers

The final word may belong to parties that belong to neither camp. The two Arab parties, Ra’am and the Joint List, represent the 20% of Israeli citizens who are Arab. Two newcomers, the right-wing People of Israel and the centre-right Reservists, are hovering around the electoral threshold.

On Tuesday night, the exit polls will offer a first answer. But in Israel, the real election often begins the day after the vote.