IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire
On 27 October 2026, the citizens of Israel will be called upon to elect a new Knesset. With their vote, they will decide not only on the composition of the 120-seat parliament, but also on the political future of the country: Will Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Likud Party continue to lead the government, or will a new coalition take the reins of Israel?
To help put the elections and their significance into context, the Israel Office of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung has compiled comprehensive information on this topic page. Here you will find current analyses, publications, and country reports on Israel’s political developments, background information on the electoral system, as well as assessments of the key actors and main issues shaping the election campaign.
19. August: "Not the first terrible statement", Interview with Dr. Michael Rimmel at RBB Inforadio
1. October: "Delegation for relations with Israel Ordinary Meeting", Conversation of Members of European Parliament with Dr. Michael Rimmel
7. October: "Three Years of October 7: Israel votes in the shadow of war - and many open questions", Guest contribution at n-tv
20. October: "No “fucking judgment” – yet Trump recommends voting for Netanyahu", Spiegel+
22. October: "First Election Since October 7: Expert Explains Why Netanyahu Remains Firmly in Control of Likud", Interview with Dr. Michael Rimmel at Frankfurter Rundschau
24. October: "Military Operation also part of the election campaign", Interview with Dr. Michael Rimmel at RBB Inforadio
27. October: "For many Israelis this is a very crucial election", Interview with Dr. Michael Rimmel at WELT
27. October: "No Poll forecasted this", Video-Contribution by Dr. Michael Rimmel at RND Election Liveblog
28. October: "The Campaign is over. The thriller starts now", Contribution to Article by Dr. Michael Rimmel at STERN.
30 October: "One Winner, Many Losers - Assessment of the Knesset Election Results", Country report from Dr. Michael Rimmel and Pascal Franz
A special focus is placed on our webinar series, which we are organizing together with the Israel Council on Foreign Relations and the Israel Press Club. Moderated by Israeli television journalist Moav Vardi, the series offers in-depth insights into the dynamics and challenges of the upcoming election.
In the weeks leading up to election day, we will focus on the key questions shaping the campaign: How do Knesset elections work in Israel? What role will Arab Israelis play in the election? What impact will the debate over military service for ultra-Orthodox Jews have on the political contest? How are the current security situation and the geopolitical environment affecting the campaign? And what trends can be identified from the latest opinion polls?
Visit this page regularly for up-to-date analyses, events, and reports on the 2026 Knesset election and its political consequences.
