Israel Election Pivots on Domestic Policy

Israeli voters face a choice between two domestic agendas on Tuesday.

The major candidates in the election share a consensus on the wars in Gaza and Iran. Most accept the military actions taken since the Hamas-led attack of October 7, 2023. They rarely offer a clear path to the two-state solution outlined in the 1990s. The primary divisions center on internal governance, judicial power, and the role of the ultra-Orthodox in the military.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leads the incumbent hard-right government. His opponents form a disparate coalition that promises similar policies within legal constraints. Netanyahu stated that his government will fulfill its promise of no Palestinian state. He said, "This place belongs to us." Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich of the Religious Zionist party wants to formally cancel the Oslo Accords. He called for sovereignty and encouraged migration from Gaza and the West Bank. Gadi Eisenkot of the Yashar party called the two-state principle a mistake. Yair Golan of The Democrats proposed civil separation rather than a full statehood deal.

The conscription of Haredi men remains a key economic and social issue. Netanyahu relies on Shas and United Torah Judaism for Knesset support. These parties demand legislation to protect yeshiva students from the draft. This follows a Supreme Court ruling on June 25, 2024. Netanyahu defended the status quo after roughly 40 Haredi men were arrested this month for evading the draft. He said, "We must preserve the world of Torah because it preserved us." Shas leader Aryeh Deri stated there would be no government without Shas unless student status is regulated. Avigdor Liberman of Yisrael Beiteinu called Netanyahu a hostage to draft evaders.

The judicial overhaul is another point of contention. Netanyahu's government passed measures to reshape judge appointments. A July law stripped Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara of significant powers. Both measures take effect after the election. Bennett, co-leader of the Together alliance, promised to cancel these laws immediately upon the Knesset convening. Netanyahu argued that democracy is the rule of the people, not the judges. He said the reform was derailed and must be brought back to prevent the judiciary from crushing the legislative branch.

Accountability for the October 7 security failures dominates the cycle. More than 74,000 people were killed in Gaza during the conflict. Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi resigned in January 2025 following inquiries. Shin Bet head Ronen Bar departed in June 2025. No similar inquiry has targeted Netanyahu, despite reports that the UAE and Egypt warned him before the attack. Eisenkot said a State Commission of Inquiry will investigate the disaster. Netanyahu proposed a government-led commission with broad public support. That proposal has been deferred to the next session.