Israel elections explained: How they work, who’s in the race and what’s at stake

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seeks another term. (AP Photo) Israelis will head to the polls on October 27 in the country's first general election since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack that triggered a multi-front war in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran.The vote is shaping up to be one of the most consequential in Israel's recent history, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seeking another term despite polls suggesting his coalition could lose power.Yet Israel's fragmented political system means pre-election surveys rarely tell the full story, and coalition negotiations after the vote often determine who ultimately becomes prime minister.Here's a look at what the polls show, how Israel's electoral system works, who Netanyahu's main challengers are and what's at stake in the election.What do the polls show?According to news agency Reuters, successive opinion polls indicate Netanyahu is heading into the election on the back foot, with surveys predicting his bloc could fall short of retaining power.The October 7 Hamas attack dealt a major blow to his image as Israel's security leader, while public confidence in his leadership remains weak despite broad support for military oper...