According to an AFP report on July 12, the Knesset said on the 12th that Israel will hold a national election on October 27, the last date permitted by law. Outsiders generally believe that this general election is a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership since the outbreak of the war in Gaza. The Knesset will end its current term on July 17, making the ruling coalition complete a full four-year term for the first time in decades. Netanyahu, who is 76 years old and has served multiple times as non-consecutive prime minister, is already Israel's longest-serving prime minister, and he announced his intention to run for another election. Netanyahu said he “intends to win” the election to prepare for what could be a decisive competition in his political career. In recent days, as one of the most right-wing ruling coalitions in Israel's history, his administration has been rushing to pass a series of laws to strengthen its coalition and participate in the election with a strong stance. Last month, Netanyahu even stated that he intended “to establish a broad national government, not a right- or left-wing government that relies on Arab political parties, but a broad national government.” By crossing party lines, Netanyahu appears to be trying to reframe his campaign agenda around national unity rather than ideological alliances. But recent polls show that most Israelis want him to step down, and former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Esencott has become his main rival.

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