🔸 Israelis go to the polls on Tuesday in an election that many consider one of the most fateful elections in this country’s history.

This is the first election since the October 7, 2023 attacks led by Hamas and the wars and subsequent clashes that followed for Israel across the region; from Gaza and Lebanon to Iran, Syria, and Yemen.

But who are the main contenders? Polls released on Friday suggest that the race for the post of prime minister between Benjamin Netanyahu, the current prime minister of Israel, and Gadi Eisenkot, the former chief of staff of the Israeli army, is very close and tight.

Part of Eisenkot’s popularity stems from his military background; but his position as a relatively new face in politics has also played a role in this. He founded the “Yesh Atid” party only last year, and that has made him, for some voters, a different option from traditional politicians.

📸Reuters / AFP