Elections 2026: Between Security, Responsibility, and Governance - The Bloc Map and Issues That Will Decide Israel's Future | Dr. Eitan Lesri
Dr. Eitan Lesri analyzes the elections for the 26th Knesset, presenting the political bloc map: a broad opposition bloc to replace Netanyahu, including Yashar!, Together, The Democrats, Yisrael Beiteinu, and Blue and White, alongside the Arab parties and smaller parties. Data from the Israeli Voice Index shows that security (39%) and the economy (38%) are the leading considerations among the Jewish public. The conclusion: stable political polarization and an inter-bloc tie, with the outcome depending on voter turnout and small parties crossing the electoral threshold.
Dr. Eitan Lesri analyzes the election campaign for the 26th Knesset, conducted against the backdrop of a complex security reality, the repercussions of the October 7, 2023 attack, and public controversies. The article presents the bloc map: facing the current coalition stands a broad opposition bloc including Yashar! (Gadi Eisenkot), emphasizing statesmanship and the establishment of a state commission of inquiry; Together (Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid), appealing to the center-right and center-left; The Democrats (Yair Golan), focusing on protecting the judicial system and equality of burden; Yisrael Beiteinu (Avigdor Lieberman), combining hawkish security positions with a secular line; and Blue and White (Benny Gantz), presenting a statesmanlike-security approach. The Arab parties, Ra'am (Mansour Abbas) and the Joint List, constitute a potential balancing force. Small parties such as Amcha Israel (Ofer Winter), the Economic Party-Reservists Party (Yoaz Hendel and Yaron Zelicha), and Noam could tip the balance around the electoral threshold. Data from the Israeli Voice Index shows that security (39%) and the economy (38%) are the leading considerations among the Jewish public, and in Arab society, the fight against crime (53.5%) and the economy (46%). The conclusion: political polarization is stable, an inter-bloc tie has formed, and the outcome depends on voter turnout, avoiding vote loss for small parties, and the ability to form a coalition.