Overview
- Likud announced on Wednesday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will stand in the national election that must be held by October.
- A June poll by the Israel Democracy Institute found about 61 percent of Israelis think Netanyahu should not run, reflecting broad public skepticism.
- Multiple polls show his current right‑wing coalition is unlikely to win a parliamentary majority, and opponents may need cooperation with Arab parties to form a government.
- President Trump publicly questioned whether Netanyahu wanted to continue and said he urged restraint after Iran's missile launch, underscoring recent strains in U.S.–Israel ties over military and diplomatic choices.
- The vote will be Israel’s first since the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack and will unfold while the country fights on several fronts and the prime minister faces ongoing legal and health issues that are likely to shape the campaign.