Security dominates Israeli election as October 7 anniversary nears

September 21, 2026 at 02:54 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Israel's upcoming general election coincides with the third anniversary of the October 7, 2023 attacks. Security issues have dominated Israeli public discourse for the past three years, with more than 73,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza since the war began. Ultra-Orthodox anger over conscription and an economy affected by conflict are among the issues concerning voters.

Key Facts

Israel's upcoming general election coincides with the third anniversary of the October 7, 2023 attacks.
More than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the war began.
Israel has exchanged strikes with Houthi rebels in Yemen, bombed Syria and Lebanon, occupied their territories, and joined the US in at least two major attacks on Iran.
Ayala Panievsky, a lecturer at City St George's, University of London, said national security has always been a primary concern for Israeli voters and will remain so in this election.

Security Dominance

Security issues have dominated Israeli public discourse for the past three years since the war on Gaza began. Israeli politicians, hungry for votes, have been eager to push this issue to the forefront of their campaigning. Ayala Panievsky, a lecturer in politics and journalism at City St George's, University of London, said national security has always been a primary concern for Israeli voters, and will remain so in this election, with other issues usually taking second place. Panievsky added that even when certain parties tried to shift the dial and centre on the economy, or any other issue, it didn't work because the issue is too existential in a country entangled in war and conflict, and even stronger now following the trauma of October 7.

Regional Conflict

The war has seen Israel exchange strikes with the Houthi rebels in Yemen, bomb neighbouring Syria and Lebanon, occupy their territories, and join the United States in launching at least two major attacks on Iran, widely perceived as the country's main nemesis. For a public still shaken by the events of October 2023, accompanied by a chorus of public figures warning of Israel's imminent destruction, there has barely been a day when Israelis have not been reminded that their country is engaged in conflict. Panievsky said to this day, Israelis do not feel safe from future attacks by Hamas or Hezbollah, or a nuclear threat from Iran, and none of these fronts ended in a win for Israel.

Perceived Security

Despite anger across the globe over the genocide in Gaza and unilateral strikes on regional states, many believe Israel has never been more secure. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed since the 1990s that Iran was on the brink of achieving nuclear weapons. Today, some analysts believe that Iran's economy and military are hugely depleted and are entirely preoccupied with its conflict with the US.