Israeli legislative elections set for October 27, 2026, are shaping up as a high-stakes contest between two main political blocs: the left-center opposition and the pro-government parties. Neither bloc currently has a clear path to the 61 seats needed to form a governing majority, meaning the outcome will hinge on forming coalitions. The campaign is less about individual leaders and more about how Israel should ensure its security in a dramatically changed geopolitical environment since 2023. Gadi Eisenkot, a former head of the Israeli Defense Forces (2015-2019) and leader of the centrist party Yashar, has emerged as a key rival to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Recent polls show their parties are closely matched in popularity. Eisenkot’s military background gives him an edge in security discussions, a domain where Netanyahu has long held influence. However, neither Yashar nor Netanyahu’s Likud (which holds 32 seats in the current parliament) is expected to win enough seats on its own, making coalition-building essential. The political landscape has shifted since the opposition reorganized. Initially, the Bennett-Lapid alliance was the main alternative to Netanyahu, but Eisenkot’s Yashar has overtaken them in the polls. This reflects a growing desire for a centrist-right alternative that can govern effectively and ensure national security. However, the biggest challenge remains coalition arithmetic—neither Yashar nor Likud is expected to secure more than 20 seats, making alliances crucial to forming a governing majority. For Netanyahu, the risk lies in losing votes to smaller parties. The electoral threshold of 3.25% means parties that fail to meet this benchmark get no seats, potentially shifting the balance of power. Netanyahu has encouraged right-wing factions to consolidate, but with limited success. Some right-wing figures, like Bezalel Smotrich (7 seats), have formed alliances with smaller parties, while others, such as Itamar Ben Gvir (6 seats) and Ofer Winter (a new party called "Your People, Israel"), are running independently. The opposition faces its own dilemma: securing enough seats without necessarily relying on alliances. Some opposition figures, like Yair Golan of the left-wing Democrats, support the possibility of forming a government with Arab parties (Hadash-Ta’al and Ra’am, each with 5 seats), but Eisenkot remains cautious. Former Prime Ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid have formed a joint list, B’Yachad, but they refuse to depend on Arab parties. Netanyahu has used the potential alliance with Golan and Arab parties as a campaign strategy to dissuade hesitant voters from supporting his opponents. The election debate extends beyond Netanyahu’s leadership to the broader question of what kind of Israel should emerge after the October 7, 2023, attack. Security remains a central issue, with the military’s power not translating into lasting safety. The war in Gaza continues, tensions with Iran persist, and threats from Houthi rebels in Yemen remain. The debate is not simply between hawks and doves; the need for force is widely accepted, but the goal of that force is contested. Eisenkot criticizes the lack of long-term security from military victories, while Netanyahu emphasizes his military record as proof of his ability to protect the country. The most divisive issue is Gaza. Current Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir has proposed a seven-year "voluntary migration" of a significant portion of Gaza’s population, with a dedicated ministry overseeing the policy. However, this is not a widely shared view. A recent survey found that 62% of respondents did not believe Netanyahu’s promise of a "total victory" would be achieved, while 66.5% of the ruling coalition’s voters believed Israel had won or would win against Hamas, compared to only 21% of the opposition. Security also raises internal questions about who bears the cost and responsibility. Many Israelis have been repeatedly called to military service since October 7, while ultra-Orthodox men largely remain exempt. This exemption is increasingly controversial, with 70% of reservists saying it would influence their voting. Ofer Winter, a right-wing figure, has conditioned his participation in a government on the abolition of the exemption. Eisenkot’s personal experience with the war adds weight to his stance. His son was killed in combat in December 2023, along with two of his nephews. His speeches on service, sacrifice, and responsibility resonate deeply with many Israelis. Responsibility for the October 7 failure remains unresolved. No official state inquiry has yet determined accountability. Recent controversy involving Sara Netanyahu, who suggested Yair Golan might have known about the Hamas attack in advance, highlights the ongoing sensitivity of the issue. In September, an article claimed that Mohammed bin Zayed, the UAE president, had warned Netanyahu of the attack ten days in advance, which Netanyahu has denied, calling the report a "complete lie." The election campaign also revolves around the narrative of October 7, pitting different interpretations of those who fought, those who supported the war effort, those who made decisions, and those who must now answer for them. Responsibility and the sharing of burdens are central to the question of what unites Israeli society today.