Four Key Issues Shape Israel’s Parliamentary Election

Israelis head to the polls on Tuesday in a parliamentary election focused on four major issues: accountability for the failures surrounding the October 7, 2023 attack, security strategy, the conscription of religious Jews and the rising cost of living.

Accountability for the October 7 failures is a central question in the race, putting scrutiny of those failures at the heart of the electoral debate.

Security strategy is another leading issue, with the election debate focused in part on how Israel should address threats and determine its future security approach.

The conscription of religious Jews also figures prominently, bringing questions about military service and how its obligations are shared into the campaign.

Alongside those security and service-related concerns, rising living costs remain a key domestic issue. Together, the four priorities place both national security and household finances at the centre of the parliamentary contest.