TEL AVIV — Israel's general election on Oct. 27 faces mounting concerns over its integrity and potential for political interference, with the vote seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership.
President Isaac Herzog publicly addressed these concerns in a televised speech in mid-July, raising fears about election interference and violence after meeting with heads of the electoral commission and the Shin Bet, Israel's internal security service.
Herzog used biblical stories to illustrate the dangers of internal conflict, urging the public not to "cross red lines" during the campaign. He called on "elected representatives, activists and all candidates from all parties" to avoid turning rivals into enemies.
"I call on the people of Israel, in a clear voice: Remember that elections are not a civil war," Herzog said. Opposition leader Yair Lapid and former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert have also raised concerns about the vote.
A poll by the Israel Democracy Institute found that nearly three-quarters of Jewish Israelis expressed worry about the integrity of the 2026 election. Only 43 percent said they were optimistic about the future of democratic rule in Israel.
Netanyahu's governing coalition continues a campaign begun in 2021 to reduce judicial oversight, an issue that has deeply divided the nation. The Prime Minister faces corruption charges and has sought to defer an independent inquiry into the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack, a decision that has drawn criticism over his handling of security.
International criticism of Israel's war in Gaza and settler violence across the occupied West Bank will be central issues in the election. Israel faces a multifront conflict against adversaries in Lebanon, Yemen, Syria and Iran.
U.S.-Israeli relations could also influence the election outcome. Netanyahu said Israel would not accept U.S. President Donald Trump's 15-point plan for Gaza until Hamas was fully disarmed, adding to tensions between the two countries. Some Israeli opposition figures have expressed concerns about divergence under Netanyahu's leadership.
Knesset member Ofer Cassif, who faced a no-confidence motion in June, said violence has become part of the Israeli political landscape, particularly in the occupied West Bank.
"There's no need to speculate about the potential for violence; it's already happening," Cassif said. "We're seeing antigovernment activists, and not just Palestinians, but Israelis being arrested and even judges harassed."
