Representatives from nine Israeli political parties took part in a rare English-language online debate Sunday night, two weeks before what is widely viewed as one of the most consequential elections in the country’s history. The event, which included parties from across the political spectrum except Arab-majority and ultra-Orthodox parties, centered on key issues such as national security, the drafting of the Haredi population into the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), and the government’s handling of the recent Hamas attack on October 7.
The debate featured representatives from Likud, Yashar, Together, the Democrats, Otzma Yehudit, Yisrael Beiteinu, Religious Zionism-Zehut, Amcha Yisrael, and the Reservists. Each participant outlined their party’s vision for preventing future security catastrophes, with many criticizing past government decisions. Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli, representing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud, labeled the 2005 Gaza disengagement and the 2011 Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange — both supported by previous governments including Netanyahu — as serious errors that contributed to the October attack.
Oded Forer of Yisrael Beiteinu, while acknowledging Netanyahu’s role in those policies, called for Israel to stop managing Gaza’s civilian infrastructure, suggesting Egypt take over responsibility for supplying electricity and water to the enclave. Alex Rif from Yashar advocated for a combined military and diplomatic approach under former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot’s leadership, aimed at preventing Hamas from rearming. Meanwhile, Einat Wilf of the Reservists proposed annexing portions of Gaza to Israel and cutting off utilities to Hamas-controlled areas, while others such as Fleur Hassan-Nahoum of Amcha Yisrael and Yishai Fleisher of Otzma Yehudit called for voluntary emigration of Gazans and resettlement plans following the removal of jihadist elements.
The representatives debated the drafting of the Haredi community into the military amidst ongoing manpower shortages in the IDF and significant reserve duty obligations. Opposition parties and many candidates stressed the necessity of integrating Haredim into the army, proposing reforms ranging from benefit incentives to draft reforms that accommodate religious sensitivities. However, MK Simcha Rothman of the far-right Religious Zionism-Zehut party, part of Netanyahu’s coalition, cautioned against imposing a universal draft, advocating instead for gradual societal change within the Haredi community. Otzma Yehudit’s Fleisher supported integration efforts that rely on incentives rather than coercion, while Chikli highlighted an increasing number of Haredi soldiers in the ranks but did not acknowledge recent coalition efforts to block legislation expanding the draft.
When questioned about the need for an inquiry into the October 7 attack, opposition parties and the Reservists called for an independent, non-political commission. Coalition-affiliated participants favored an investigation with political representation and limited judicial involvement, expressing distrust toward the current justice system.
A prominent topic was the stance on a Palestinian state, with nearly all candidates from right-wing and centrist parties rejecting the proposition. Otzma Yehudit’s Fleisher denounced the idea as dangerous and historically unfounded, while Likud’s Chikli emphasized his party’s opposition, citing extensive settlement expansion as evidence. The center-left Democrats, the only Zionist party openly supporting a two-state solution, were not asked directly about this issue during the event.
The debate concluded with a segment of candidates questioning one another. Fleisher confronted Moshe Tur-Paz of Together about potential coalitions with Arab parties, which Tur-Paz rejected, noting that governing coalitions on the right also rely on ultra-Orthodox parties. Chikli challenged Hassan-Nahoum of Amcha Yisrael—whose party is near the electoral threshold—on whether it would be strategically wiser to withdraw to avoid splitting the right-wing vote. Hassan-Nahoum countered that the right-wing camp currently lacks a viable government coalition and that her party could be pivotal, claiming that Amcha Yisrael might emerge as a surprise factor enabling a right-wing government after the election.
Moderated by former Yesh Atid MK Dov Lipman and organized by several immigrant advocacy groups, the debate was noted for its relative civility despite occasional interruptions and political assertiveness. It underscored the sharp divisions on security, military service, and national identity ahead of Israel’s general election set for November 1.