Israeli statesman and general who served as prime minister in two terms
The Altalena, a wartime Irgun cargo ship sunk in June 1948, has been located off Tel Aviv. Israel has been salvaging the wreckage for years. Heritage Minister Amihai Eliyahu calls the find a deep national wound and notes it underscores Menachem Begin’s order to prevent civil war. Netanyahu’s government now leans on the episode to frame right-wing strength.
Haaretz has published book excerpts saying UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed warned Benjamin Netanyahu in late September 2023 that Hamas was planning a major operation. Haaretz says Netanyahu reacted calmly and did not inform Israel's security chiefs; Netanyahu has denied the call, instructed lawyers to sue Haaretz, and rivals have seized the story ahead of the Oct. 27 election.
Jewish communities face heightened threats ahead of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, with rising antisemitic incidents in Britain and the United States. Leaders urge preparation over hope as security concerns intensify amid political strains over Israel and Gaza.
Netanyahu has faced sustained political pressure as he heads into a parliamentary election. Critics say he relies on victimhood rhetoric and populist tactics to deflect scrutiny, amid new reporting and shifts in opposition dynamics that could reshape Israel’s political landscape.
Arab-Israeli voters are mobilising ahead of the October 27 election, with turnout surging among Palestinian citizens of Israel. Polls suggest Arab lists could be kingmakers, potentially shaping whether Netanyahu or Eisenkot leads the next government. The dynamic is redefining coalition math in a deeply divided Israel.
President Donald Trump has publicly endorsed Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of Israel’s Oct. 27 election, calling him a “Great Warrior Prime Minister” and warning the United States would carry the fight against Iran if Israelis choose another leader. The endorsement has drawn praise from Netanyahu allies and criticism from US Democrats and liberal Israeli groups; polls still show no clear governing majority.
Israel has held tightly contested elections that have produced a record Arab-led Knesset presence: Ra’am has increased to eight seats and the Joint List to 11, giving Arab parties a combined 19 of 120 seats. Neither Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc nor Gadi Eisenkot’s opposition has reached 61 seats, leaving Arab lists with potential leverage over coalition formation.
Israel faces a pivotal election since Hamas’s 2023 attacks, with Netanyahu’s Likud bloc opposed by Eisenkot’s Yashar-led alliance. Polls show a tight race, a fractured Knesset, and debates over security, settlements, and Arab-party leverage. Voters weigh wartime leadership, economic stability, and the path to a possible coalition.
Palestinian rights groups report a surge in settler attacks in the West Bank, while Israeli authorities expand settlement activity. The combination risks further inflaming a volatile regional situation.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has sparked widespread backlash by saying Arabs do not produce science or literature at a campaign event in Michigan. Multiple outlets have documented Arab achievements, and critics label the remarks racist and unfounded as midterm campaigning intensifies.
With 85% of votes counted, neither Netanyahu nor Eisenkot has secured a majority. A unity government seems unlikely; a new election could be next. Herzog will consult with parties to form a government, but coalitions remain fragile as Arab parties gain a record share.
Palestinian parties in Israel have secured a historic 19 seats in the Knesset amid record turnout, challenging the Jewish political establishment and complicating coalition talks. Netanyahu’s bloc remains short of a majority, while Arab lists push for influence without entering a formal government coalition.