Who Wants to Replace Netanyahu? Meet His Top Rivals in Israel’s Elections

Israel is preparing for a major national election on October 27, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu facing a strong challenge from several opposition leaders. The vote could decide whether Netanyahu remains in power or whether a new political coalition takes control of the government.

The main figures seeking to challenge Netanyahu include former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, former prime minister Naftali Bennett, opposition leader Yair Lapid, former army deputy chief Yair Golan and former defence minister Avigdor Lieberman.

These leaders have different political backgrounds and do not agree on every issue. However, they share one major goal: ending Netanyahu's current leadership and forming a different government.

Recent opinion polls suggest that Netanyahu's political bloc could face difficulties securing a parliamentary majority. But the opposition also has a major challenge. Its leaders have not agreed on a single candidate to become prime minister, and forming a coalition after the election could prove difficult.

Here is a closer look at Netanyahu's main rivals, their political positions and the issues that could shape Israel's 2026 election.

When Is Israel's Election in 2026?

Israel's national election is scheduled for October 27, 2026.

Voters will elect the members of the country's parliament, known as the Knesset, which has 120 seats.

Netanyahu is seeking another term as prime minister. His Likud party is competing against opposition parties that are trying to build enough support to form a new government.

This election is especially important because it is the first national vote since the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, and the wars and security crises that followed.

Voters are expected to consider several issues, including national security, the government's response to the October 7 attacks, military service rules, the cost of living and Israel's international relations.

Gadi Eisenkot: The Former Military Chief Challenging Netanyahu

Party: Yashar

Gadi Eisenkot has emerged as one of the most prominent challengers to Netanyahu. He is a former chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and entered politics in 2022.

Eisenkot presents himself as a security-focused leader who can bring professional management and greater accountability to government.

He founded the Yashar party after becoming increasingly critical of Netanyahu's handling of the war and the government's broader direction.

One of his key demands is an official state commission of inquiry into the failures surrounding the October 7, 2023 attacks. He has also called for changes to military service rules so that ultra-Orthodox Jewish men face broader service obligations.

Eisenkot's military background could appeal to voters who want a leader with security experience but are dissatisfied with the current government.

However, he faces challenges of his own. He has limited experience leading a national political party, and his foreign policy positions remain close to Israel's established security approach.

Eisenkot is widely viewed as one of the leading contenders to replace Netanyahu, but he would still need enough parliamentary support to form a government.

Naftali Bennett: The Former Prime Minister Making a Comeback

Party: Together (Beyachad), with Yair Lapid

Naftali Bennett is another important rival. He served as Israel's prime minister from 2021 to 2022 and is now attempting a political comeback.

Bennett previously led right-wing politics and has supported Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. His political background makes him an important figure for voters who want an alternative to Netanyahu without moving away from right-wing security policies.

For the 2026 election, Bennett is running on the Together list alongside Yair Lapid.

The alliance aims to attract voters from different parts of the opposition and improve their chances of forming a government.

Bennett has criticised Netanyahu's leadership and presented himself as a candidate who could help the country move forward after years of conflict and political division.

However, he and Lapid have different political backgrounds, and their alliance will have to manage those differences if it wants to govern together.

Bennett has already served as prime minister and may appeal to voters who prefer a right-leaning alternative to Netanyahu.

Yair Lapid: The Centrist Opposition Leader

Party: Together (Beyachad), with Naftali Bennett

Yair Lapid is a former prime minister and the founder of the centrist Yesh Atid party. He is one of the most experienced opposition figures in Israel.

Lapid served as prime minister in 2022 and has spent years criticising Netanyahu's policies and leadership.

For this election, Lapid is joining forces with Bennett under the Together electoral list. Bennett leads the joint list, while Lapid is in second place.

The partnership is an attempt to bring together voters who oppose Netanyahu but may have different views on economic policy, religion, security and the future direction of Israel.

Lapid has called for better government management and has criticised the way Netanyahu's government has handled Israel's international image.

Still, the alliance faces an important question: can two experienced political leaders maintain unity while campaigning together and negotiating for government positions?

Lapid brings national political experience and a centrist voter base to the opposition's effort to challenge Netanyahu.

Yair Golan: The Leader of the Democrats

Party: The Democrats

Yair Golan is a former deputy chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces and leads the Democrats party.

The party brings together political forces from Israel's historic Labour tradition and the left-wing Meretz movement.

Golan's political approach differs from that of some other opposition leaders. He has supported a negotiated peace agreement with the Palestinians, arguing that it is connected to Israel's long-term security interests.

He has also criticised the current government's policies and called for political change.

However, the broader opposition does not share one common position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Some of its leading figures take a more right-wing approach to security and reject the idea of establishing a Palestinian state.

This difference could become important during coalition negotiations.

Golan represents the left-wing side of the opposition and offers a different political approach from the more security-focused alternatives.

Avigdor Lieberman: The Former Netanyahu Ally Turned Critic

Party: Yisrael Beiteinu

Avigdor Lieberman is a former defence minister and a long-time figure in Israeli politics.

He once worked with Netanyahu but later became one of his strongest critics. Lieberman left Netanyahu's government in 2018, arguing that the prime minister was not taking a sufficiently tough approach towards Palestinian armed groups.

His party, Yisrael Beiteinu, draws support in part from secular voters and Russian-speaking immigrants.

Lieberman has also pushed for changes to the rules governing military service, including the question of exemptions for ultra-Orthodox Jewish men.

Although he shares the goal of replacing Netanyahu, Lieberman's political views are hawkish, particularly on security.

He has also expressed concerns about how other opposition leaders are approaching coalition negotiations, showing that unity within the anti-Netanyahu camp is not guaranteed.

Lieberman could influence the balance of power after the election, particularly if neither major political bloc wins enough seats to govern alone.

Is There One Candidate to Replace Netanyahu?

Not yet.

The opposition leaders have agreed to work towards removing Netanyahu from power, but they have not settled on a single successor who is accepted by the entire opposition.

The leaders signed a joint statement in September aimed at reducing public attacks on one another and focusing on their shared objective of forming a new government.

However, they disagree on several important questions, including security policy, military service, relations with Arab parties and the direction of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

These differences matter because winning votes is only the first step. A leader must also build a coalition that can command a majority in the Knesset.

Eisenkot is viewed by many observers as a leading challenger, while Bennett and Lapid remain major figures through their joint electoral list.

The final decision will depend on the election result and the negotiations that follow.

What Do the Latest Polls Say?

Recent polling has suggested that Netanyahu's bloc could struggle to secure a majority in the 120-seat Knesset.

Reuters' polling average, based on data available on October 20, indicated that anti-Netanyahu parties could collectively win enough seats to have a numerical advantage. But this does not automatically mean that they can form a stable government.

There are several reasons for this uncertainty:

• Opposition parties have different political priorities.
• Some leaders have ruled out joining a government with Arab parties.
• Small parties may determine whether either side reaches a majority.
• Disagreements over military service and security policy could complicate negotiations.
• Some parties may fail to cross the national electoral threshold.

Polls are estimates, not election results. Voter preferences can change, and the distribution of seats will depend on the votes cast on election day.

How Does Israel Choose Its Prime Minister?

Israel uses a parliamentary system.

Unlike a presidential election, voters do not directly elect the prime minister. They vote for political parties competing for seats in the Knesset.

The parliament has 120 seats, and a government normally needs the support of at least 61 members to command a majority.

After the results are counted, the president consults political parties and gives a member of the Knesset the task of forming a government.

That person must build a coalition with enough parliamentary support.

This means a party can win the largest number of seats without automatically securing the prime minister's office. Smaller parties can become important if their support determines which side reaches a majority.

For Netanyahu's rivals, the challenge is therefore twofold: perform strongly at the ballot box and negotiate a workable coalition afterwards.

What Are the Biggest Issues in Israel's Election?

National Security

Security is a central issue following the October 7 attacks and the conflicts that followed. Voters are assessing the government's decisions, military strategy and ability to protect the country.

Accountability for October 7

Opposition leaders have called for an official investigation into the failures surrounding the attacks. The form and powers of such an inquiry remain important political questions.

Military Service

The question of whether ultra-Orthodox Jewish men should be required to undertake military service has become a major source of tension. It has also strained relationships between Netanyahu and some religious parties.

Cost of Living

The cost of everyday goods, housing and other expenses is another concern for households. Economic conditions can influence how voters judge the government.

Israel's International Relations

The next government will face questions about Israel's relationship with the United States and other countries, as well as the country's international standing after years of conflict.

Coalition Politics

Even if one bloc performs better than expected, it will need enough parliamentary support to govern. Small parties could play a decisive role in the negotiations.

Could Netanyahu Still Win the Election?

Yes. The election has not yet taken place, and Netanyahu remains a candidate.

Polls showing difficulties for his bloc do not mean that he has already lost. His Likud party has a long history in Israeli politics, and his coalition partners may still play a decisive role.

The opposition also faces its own problems. Its leaders have not agreed on every issue, and their ability to form a government may depend on parties whose support remains uncertain.

If no bloc can build a majority, coalition negotiations could take weeks. A political deadlock or another election cannot be ruled out.

For this reason, the October 27 vote should be seen as a contest that could reshape Israel's leadership, rather than a result that has already been decided.

What Happens After the October 27 Vote?

Once voting ends, election officials will count the votes and determine how the Knesset's seats are distributed.

Political parties will then consider possible coalition agreements.

The next government will depend on whether Netanyahu's bloc or the opposition can gather sufficient support. If neither side can form a majority, the country could face a prolonged political impasse.

The opposition leaders may also need to decide who should lead a potential government and how important positions would be divided.

Even if Netanyahu's opponents win more seats collectively, they will still need to agree on a common governing plan.