Polling stations in Israel opened: attacks on October 7 and reforms important themes

Israeli parliamentary elections are underway, marking the first since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. The elections are viewed as a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose party is slightly trailing the new Yashar party led by Gadi Eisenkot. With no party expected to gain a majority, coalitions will be necessary. Key issues include Netanyahu's handling of pre-attack warnings and controversial judicial reforms. The draft law remains a contentious topic, especially regarding ultra-Orthodox exemptions. The Palestinian plight is largely absent from the discourse, with both main parties opposing a two-state solution. Polls indicate uncertainty about the election outcome, potentially leading to new elections.