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Elections in Israel
parliamentary republic
Elections in Israel: the next vote, who holds power now, and the country's election history. The next one is the Israeli legislative election on 27 October 2026. Head of government is Benjamin Netanyahu; the system of government is parliamentary republic. Contenders include Benjamin Netanyahu.
Next election
Israeli legislative election - 27 October 2026
Who's running
Benjamin NetanyahuIncumbent
Likud
Incumbent prime minister and Likud leader; heads the right-wing/religious bloc.
Right bloc polls ~50 of 120 Knesset seats.
Naftali BennettLeading in polls
Beyachad (Together)
Former prime minister (2021-22) leading the opposition; new party formed with Yair Lapid.
Beyachad polls ~26 seats, edging Likud; opposition bloc near 60.
Benny GantzContender
National Unity
Centrist former defence minister and ex-IDF chief of staff.
Hovering near the threshold at 4-8 seats.
Polls & trendField and standings from public polling - a snapshot, not a forecast.
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BN
Benjamin Netanyahu live
Head of government - Likud
In office since
29 December 2022
Party
Likud
Head of state
Isaac Herzog
Region
Asia
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Elections nearby - Asia
Next election
Israeli legislative election
27 October 2026
Government
parliamentary republic
Capital
Jerusalem
Population
9 840 000
Country facts
Legislature
The Knesset
Established
1948
Currency
new shekel
Official language
Hebrew
Capital
Jerusalem
Region
Asia
Area
20,770 km2
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Election history
1 November 2022parliamentary
Israeli legislative election
turnout 70.6%
2 June 2021presidential
Israeli presidential election
won: Isaac Herzog
23 March 2021parliamentary
Israeli legislative election
turnout 67.4%
2 March 2020parliamentary
Israeli legislative election
turnout 71.5%
17 September 2019parliamentary
September 2019 Israeli legislative election
turnout 69.8%
9 April 2019parliamentary
April 2019 Israeli legislative election
turnout 68.5%
17 March 2015parliamentary
Israeli legislative election
turnout 72.3%
10 June 2014presidential
Israeli presidential election
won: Reuven Rivlin
23 January 2013parliamentary
Israeli legislative election
turnout 67.8%
10 February 2009parliamentary
Israeli legislative election
turnout 64.7%
Presidential winner & turnout from Wikidata; parliamentary winners omitted (Wikidata data unreliable).
Power transferspeacefulcontestedirregular
2022 - Yair Lapid Benjamin Netanyahu
peaceful - no coup recorded
2022 - Naftali Bennett Yair Lapid
peaceful - no coup recorded
2021 - Benjamin Netanyahu Naftali Bennett
peaceful - no coup recorded
2009 - Ehud Olmert Benjamin Netanyahu
peaceful - no coup recorded
2006 - Ariel Sharon Ehud Olmert
peaceful - no coup recorded
2001 - Ehud Barak Ariel Sharon
peaceful - no coup recorded
Classification: Powell & Thyne Coup d'Etat Dataset, where available.
Frequently asked questions
When is the next election in Israel?
The Israeli legislative election is scheduled for 27 October 2026.
Who is the current leader of Israel?
The head of government is Benjamin Netanyahu (Likud).
Who is running in the Israel election?
The main contenders are Benjamin Netanyahu, Naftali Bennett, Benny Gantz. Standings are based on public polling.
When was the last election in Israel?
The most recent was the Israeli legislative election on 1 November 2022.
What type of government does Israel have?
Israel is a parliamentary republic.
Profile from Wikidata - updated 2026-07-02.