Voters in Israel's upcoming elections on October 27 will cast their ballots amidst critical national debates concerning military conscription, the nation's economic standing, and the imperative to investigate failures that preceded the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack.
A central demand among Israelis is the establishment of an independent state commission of inquiry into the security lapses that enabled Hamas's devastating assault, which claimed over 1,200 lives. The unprecedented scale of this tragedy has left a profound national trauma that continues to influence the country's political landscape, societal fabric, and collective consciousness. While former army chief Gadi Eisenkot, a leading challenger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has pledged to form such a commission, branding it a necessity to "prevent the next disaster," the incumbent government has resisted. Netanyahu's administration, in office during the attack, has instead proposed a bipartisan commission appointed by politicians, a move decried by opposition leader Yair Lapid as an attempt to "whitewash (those responsible) and prevent a genuine investigation." Prime Minister Netanyahu has also attributed blame to the security establishment, even suggesting he was not alerted promptly on the day of the attack, and faces scrutiny over alleged ignored warnings and his government's prior engagement with Qatar, a financial supporter of Hamas.
The fundamental tenets of Israel's security doctrine—intelligence, deterrence, and swift conflict resolution—have been profoundly challenged by the events of October 7. The government's subsequent embrace of prolonged military engagements, evidenced by ongoing military presence in Gaza, southern Lebanon, and Syria, alongside frequent operations in the West Bank and confrontations with Iran-backed groups, raises significant questions about the nation's capacity to sustain operations on multiple fronts. The extensive, repeated mobilization of reservists has incurred substantial personal and economic costs, exacerbating concerns over military manpower shortages. Ofer Shelah, a researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies, notes a shift from a doctrine of "deterrence and prosperity between wars to a society that lives permanently by the sword." These protracted campaigns have also strained Israel's international standing, drawing considerable criticism, particularly concerning the conflict in Gaza. Even former US President Donald Trump publicly criticized Prime Minister Netanyahu's handling of recent escalations with Iran.
The issue of military conscription, particularly exemptions for ultra-Orthodox Jewish men, has become a focal point for broader discussions on Israeli identity. Ultra-Orthodox parties advocate for the continuation of these exemptions, aligning with Prime Minister Netanyahu's Likud party and its far-right coalition partners. Conversely, opposition parties champion the abolition of these exemptions and have declared their refusal to join any government that includes ultra-Orthodox factions. Gadi Eisenkot, who lost a son in the Gaza war, has also strongly criticized the exemptions, characterizing the current government as one that "promotes evasion of duty without shame." Prime Minister Netanyahu faces a delicate balancing act, having recently expressed disapproval of the arrest of ultra-Orthodox draft dodgers while also asserting that those not fully dedicated to Torah study should enlist. These debates have fueled protests, including confrontations with military police. Furthermore, the coalition has advanced measures promoting gender segregation in public spaces and legislation emphasizing Torah study, policies that supporters claim bolster Israel's Jewish character but critics argue advance religious influence in public life.
Concurrent with national security concerns, the escalating cost of living remains a pressing issue for a significant portion of the electorate. Despite robust economic growth and historically low unemployment rates, Israelis contend with one of the world's highest costs of living, while median wages lag behind the OECD average. Economists attribute these persistent high prices to deep-seated structural challenges, including housing deficits, trade barriers, and limited market competition. The ongoing conflicts have further strained public finances, with the defense budget doubling since the start of 2023.
