The impact of the October 7 conflict between Israel and Hamas continues to shape the country’s political landscape as preparations for the upcoming Knesset elections unfold. Many candidates across party lists bear direct personal connections to the violence through family losses or active participation in the fighting, underscoring the profound imprint the war has left on Israeli society.

Several candidates have been personally affected by the conflict’s casualties. For example, Yisrael Beytenu’s second candidate, Rafi Ben-Shitrit, lost his son Alroy defending the Nahal Oz military base, while Yisrael Beytenu’s No. 7 slot is held by the son of a fallen fighter at Kibbutz Be'eri. On the People of Israel list, Lali Deraj’s son Saadia was killed in combat in Gaza. Similarly, Otzma Yehudit's No. 10 candidate, Itiel Ne'eman, is the brother of reservist Shlomo Aviad Ne'eman, who died in southern Lebanon in October 2024. The Religious Zionist Party includes Zvika Mor, whose son Eitan remains a hostage in Gaza, and Itamar Eitam, a reserve battalion commander wounded in Gaza who returned to lead his troops following recovery.

Others gained prominence through their direct involvement in the hostilities on October 7. Almog Cohen, placed 13th on Likud’s list, fought Hamas militants in his hometown of Ofakim, and fellow Likud candidate Elisha Medan sustained severe injuries early in the conflict. People of Israel leader Ofer Winter, Democrats chairman Yair Golan, a reserve general, and multiple candidates on the B'Yachad list also took part in field operations or rescue efforts on that day.

Beyond frontline experiences and personal loss, candidates have shouldered an intense reserve duty burden since October 7. Itamar Eitam has reportedly accumulated nearly 700 days in reserve service, while others such as Yoaz Hendel and Yoav Adomi have logged more than 500 days each. B'Yachad members Amir Strugo and Nisan Ze’evi have also served over 400 days, balancing military responsibilities with family and political commitments.

This blending of military service, personal sacrifice, and political ambition signals an electoral shift. Almost half of candidates in realistically winnable positions across multiple party lists are new to the Knesset, representing perhaps one of the largest turnovers in recent Israeli parliamentary history. Naftali Bennett’s, Benny Gantz’s, and Yoaz Hendel’s lists, among others, feature numerous newcomers, reflecting a public appetite for fresh leadership untainted by the strategic failures associated with the conflict. Even traditionally continuity-focused parties, such as United Torah Judaism and the Arab Joint List, have introduced new faces near the top of their lists.

The forthcoming Israeli parliament is likely to grapple with issues related to the October 7 events through the lens of lived experience. Discussions about investigating the failures leading to the attack, revisiting military service policies, supporting hostages and their families, rebuilding border communities, and shaping national security strategy will involve lawmakers who endured personal loss, fought in the conflict, or bore extended reserve military duties. Yet, despite shared experiences, these politicians are dispersed across the political spectrum and hold divergent views on accountability and policy directions.

While personal sacrifice does not guarantee consensus or political insight, it injects a heightened sense of urgency and a distinct perspective into Israel’s legislative debates. The legacy of October 7 will resonate deeply in the Knesset and shape the national discourse for years to come.