Israel’s 2026 election: Who are the main leaders and where do they stand on the key issues?

Israel is preparing for its 2026 national election, which will determine the composition of the next Knesset and the country's political leadership. The contest features prominent figures including Benjamin Netanyahu, Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett, and Yair Golan. Voters are expected to weigh the candidates' competing visions for the nation's future governance and security policy.

Key policy areas defining the campaign include the ongoing situation in Gaza and security arrangements in the West Bank. Additionally, the candidates are divided on the politically sensitive issue of the ultra-Orthodox military draft, a topic that remains a central point of contention in Israeli domestic politics and legislative debate.