As Israel prepares for its upcoming election on October 27, the country remains deeply divided politically and socially, with far-right figures gaining momentum amid ongoing security concerns and societal tensions. The evolving political landscape reflects a shift to the right that has been decades in the making but was accelerated by the violence of October 7, which left the nation grappling with trauma and heightened insecurity.
Itamar Ben-Gvir, leader of the far-right Jewish Power party, is poised to significantly increase his party’s representation in the Knesset. Supporters view Ben-Gvir as a figure who delivers results, with his camp aiming to secure key cabinet positions, including the defense and justice ministries. Ben-Gvir has openly expressed his desire to become defense minister, and his party’s spokesperson emphasized ambitions to expand their governmental influence.
Ben-Gvir’s allies, such as Bezalel Smotrich, another far-right political leader residing in a West Bank settlement, similarly advocate for increased settlement expansion and a hardline stance on security. Smotrich has approved over 100 West Bank settlements during his tenure—a rise considered critical by his supporters to Israel’s security framework. This rightward political trajectory is exemplified by individuals like Roy Wexler and Nir Sovatski, both from Tel Aviv, who have shifted views over two decades from leftist beginnings toward support for right-wing policies and settlement growth.
The societal rift extends beyond politics. Families with socialist roots, such as Wexler’s kibbutz background, now find themselves estranged by these ideological shifts. At the same time, efforts to resist this trend emerge, notably from figures like satirist Lior Schleien, who engages with youth on issues of democracy and liberal values. Yet even Schleien acknowledges the entrenched presence of the far right, suggesting it is poised to remain a defining feature of Israeli politics.
The election campaign is unfolding in a climate marked by internal unrest and violence. Haredi protests against military draft enforcement, settler attacks on Palestinian communities, and rising crime rates in Arab towns highlight the fracture lines within Israeli society. Meanwhile, the aftermath of October 7 continues to weigh heavily, with increased rates of trauma, suicide, emigration, and declining public trust.
Both the Israeli government and its critics acknowledge the complexity of the security situation. While Hamas is held responsible for the initial atrocities on October 7, Israel also faces scrutiny for its extensive military operations in Gaza and continued occupation of the West Bank. The enduring conflict, coupled with Iran’s regional influence and missile threats, fuels ongoing instability. Despite military achievements, Israeli leaders struggle to articulate a sustainable strategic vision, and debates around the occupation and political resolutions remain absent from the electoral agenda.
Opposition parties, although critical of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governance and legal controversies, broadly maintain his security policies regarding Palestinians, underscoring the political consensus on military control as central to Israeli security doctrine. The political left is marginal, and Arab-Israeli representation has been further diminished through recent disqualifications, raising concerns about the state of Israeli democracy.
As Israelis head to the polls, many voters appear motivated more by fear and grievances than by clear visions for national renewal. The enduring question of whether Israel can transition from a state defined by external threats to one secured by peaceful coexistence remains unaddressed in the current electoral discourse. The looming election will determine leadership amid a polarized society confronting deep divisions, persistent violence, and an uncertain path forward.