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Israeli prime minister increases alarmist rhetoric as his far-right coalition narrowly trails in polls Benjamin Netanyahu has resorted to increasingly alarmist rhetoric and reportedly put pressure on Israel’s military to take action against Iran as his far-right coalition narrowly trails in the polls ahead of Tuesday’s close-run elections. The Israeli prime minister posted an AI-generated image of a nuclear mushroom cloud destroying Tel Aviv, telling Israeli voters to choose him or risk nuclear annihilation. Continue reading...

Gadi Eisenkot is a former IDF leader who rarely wears a suit, avoids political grandstanding, and says little about himself. And he’s leading in polls against Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, writes Neria Kraus. It was December 7, 2023, the first day of Hanukkah. Israel was in the midst of its war in Gaza, and Gadi Eisenkot, the former chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), and a minister in Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, was visiting a military base in southern Israel. When Eisenkot entered the command center, he noticed a screen displaying the locations of Israeli troops in Gaza, and recognized the position of the division in which his son, Gal, was serving. Just a few hours later, during that same visit, he would receive an update: A serious incident had occurred, and Israeli forces had suffered casualties. Less than an hour later, a senior commander entered the room and delivered the devastating news: Gal was among them. Gal, 25, was a soldier in Maglan, an elite Israeli commando unit. He had been gravely wounded by a Hamas explosive device near a tunnel in Jabalia, in northern Gaza. Hours later, he died in the hospital. For years, Eisenkot had been responsible for visiting the families of soldiers killed in battle. Now, he was on the other side of it. He called one of his other sons to break the news but told him not to share it with the rest of the family. He wanted to be the one to tell Hanna, his wife, what had happened to their fifth and youngest child. Later on in the war, two of his nephews, Yogev Pazy and Maor Cohen Eisenkot, would also be killed on the battlefield. Eisenkot, and those closest to him, point to his son’s death as the moment he decided to run for prime minister. Indeed, nearly three years after that day, Eisenkot is now the most formidable political rival of his former boss, Benjamin Netanyahu—and perhaps the only candidate capable of beating him when Israelis head to the ballot box on Tuesday.

Israel heads into a high-stakes election with Benjamin Netanyahu's political future and legacy on the line as voters weigh his security record and the continuing Iran threat.

Israelis head to the polls Tuesday facing a question that goes beyond whether Benjamin Netanyahu should remain prime minister.

If Benjamin Netanyahu falls from power in Tuesday's election in Israel, the man considered most likely to replace him is Gadi Eisenkot, a retired lieutenant general and former chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces.

Israelis are deeply divided over Netanyahu's leadership and moral character, but they largely support settlement expansion and are opposed to a Palestinian state.

Israelis are in the final hours of an intense election season amid reports of a clash between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli military over Iran.

A pair of Trump-friendly right-wing populists took a one-two punch Sunday: Brazil rejected a Bolsonaro comeback, and Serbia toppled a strongman's ruling party. The big picture: Brazil denied Trump a close ally at the helm of Latin America's largest economy, snapping a streak of seven straight conservative wins in the region. In Europe, Serbia and Hungary toppled leaders with close Trump ties who had dominated their countries for years. Now, another massively pivotal election looms Tuesday, when Trump ally , Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, will face a battle for political survival . On the eve of the election, Netanyahi touted Trump's endorsement and his "friendship" with the American president. But as the global right has made gains, opposition forces proved this weekend that they still have fuel. Driving the news: In Brazil, leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva staved off a challenge from Flávio Bolsonaro, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro . The younger Bolsonaro, widely seen as the heir to his father's populist movement, refused to concede and called for the results to be annulled, according to translations . The elder Bolsonaro is serving a 27-year sentence after being convicted of plotting a coup to overturn his 2022 loss . Trump has called the prosecution a "WITCH HUNT." The White House did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment on the race. Between the lines: Brazil's election emerged as a test of Trump's political influence in Latin America, where right-wing and Trump-backed candidates have celebrated an uninterrupted series of wins . Those victories include Trump-endorsed Abelardo de la Espriella in Colombia , Nasry "Tito" Asfura in Honduras and José Antonio Kast in Chile . Trump did not formally endorse Flávio Bolsonaro, but he met with him earlier this year and imposed ignificant tariffs on Brazil as he protested the charges against Bolsonaro's father. Lula is a vocal Trump critic. In March, Flávio Bolsonaro told an audience at the Conservative Political Action Conference that America faced a "fork in the road" in the election: "Either you have the most powerful ally in the hemisphere, or an antagonist." Zoom out: Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, a student-led opposition movement toppled the right-wing party of long-serving strongman Aleksandar Vučić, who was seeking to become prime minister. Unlike the Bolsonaros, Vučić conceded defeat Sunday. The Balkan leader had courted Trump's inner circle, including Donald Trump Jr., and described the president as a "kindred spirit." It reflects the shifting tides that also allowed next-door Hungary to oust Trump-allied Viktor Orbán , once one of the Western world's most entrenched populist leaders, in April after 16 years in power. Yes, but: Europe's political upheaval is cutting both ways: While the populist right has fallen in Serbia and Hungary, it's gaining ground in two of the continent's largest economies. In France, far-right presidential frontrunner Marine Le Pen launched her 2027 campaign this weekend, seizing on nationwide unrest to pitch her tough-on-crime, anti-migrant agenda. In Germany, the far-right Alternative for Germany won a record 44% in a state election last month and continues to lead in national polls. What we're watching: Trump's historic move of endorsing Netanyahu in Tuesday's Israeli elections will once again test his influence abroad. Tuesday's election in Israel is set to be tight for Netanyahu, who has sought to elevate Trump's endorsement as he jockeys with former Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot . The 77-year-old Netanyahu has been prime minister for some 19 years in nonconsecutive terms. Analysts see the election as a referendum on the security failure of Oct. 7, 2023, that killed around 1,200 people. Whoever governs Israel could shape Trump's next moves in the Middle East — including whether to escalate the war in Iran. Go deeper: Lula v. Bolsonaro: Brazil election unfolds in Trump's shadow

TEL AVIV, Israel — Gadi Eisenkot is as low-key as Benjamin Netanyahu is bombastic. He's a political novice up against the longest-serving, most politically savvy prime minister in Israel's history. And yet, on the eve of Tuesday's elections, Eisenkot poses the most serious threat to Netanyahu's hold on power in years. Why it matters: A victory by the Yashar party leader would upend Israeli politics and could reset the country's strained relationships abroad. The intrigue: The contrast between the two top contenders could hardly be sharper. Their roots: Eisenkot, the son of Moroccan Jewish immigrants, grew up in Eilat, Israel's southernmost city. If he wins, Eisenkot will be the first prime minister of Moroccan descent in Israel's history. Their military backgrounds: Netanyahu served in the Israel Defense Forces' elite special forces unit "Sayeret Matkal" and later went into business and politics. Eisenkot joined the IDF Golani infantry brigade and rose through its ranks as a combat commander until becoming IDF chief of staff. He arrived at his rally on Sunday to the tune of the Golani brigade song from 1974. Their ties to America: Netanyahu is better versed in American politics — and more articulate in English — than many American politicians. Eisenkot is not an "American" politician at all, let alone a professional one. He speaks English with a heavy Israeli accent and doesn't deliver catchy soundbites. He does not enjoy being on TV. At his final campaign rally Sunday before about 1,000 supporters, Eisenkot was visibly uncomfortable being in the spotlight, even when the crowd cheered him on. Their trustworthiness: Netanyahu's credibility with the Israeli public has been battered by his long-running corruption trial, his political tactics, his refusal to take responsibility for the failures that led to October 7 and accusations of duplicity in his handling of the Iran war. Eisenkot is seen as a straight shooter, even among many of his opponents. Zoom in: The failure to prevent the October 7 attacks spurred Eisenkot to challenge Netanyahu. Eisenkot, who joined Nƒetanyahu's emergency cabinet shortly after the attacks, lost his son during the war. He later lost two of his nephews in the war. Zoom out: Netanyahu has cultivated a vast network of donors, lobbyists and supporters in American power corridors for the past half-century. Bibi is a household name in America — for better and worse. Eisenkot, on the other hand, is almost anonymous in Washington. Very few people know him personally, even within Jewish organizations. He did spend time in America in the 1990s studying for a master's degree at the U.S. Army War College. Eisenkot's main connection to the U.S. was through the military, particularly his relationship with former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Joseph Dunford. After retiring from the IDF in 2019, Eisenkot spent a year as a fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. The numbers: Eisenkot is leading Netanyahu by 8 to 10 points in most pre-election polls. While Netanyahu is toxic among at least half of the voters, polls show Eisenkot enjoys high likability across the board. Netanyahu's efforts to publicly vilify him have been so far unsuccessful. The big picture: Eisenkot ran on a center-right platform. He did not make any sweeping foreign policy pronouncements and took pains to steer clear of any public positions that would allow Netanyahu to paint him as weak. Bibi tried to do it, anyway. Eisenkot has expressed opposition to a Palestinian state under current conditions. He has committed to taking strong steps to crack down on Jewish terrorism against Palestinians in the West Bank. He also pledged to end Hamas' control of Gaza within 18 months of taking office, either through diplomacy or military force. Eisenkot supported the war against Iran and strikes on its nuclear facilities. But he opposed Netanyahu's attempt to use military power to force regime change, calling it unrealistic. Eisenkot supports continuing economic pressure on Iran and building a regional alliance with the Arab world to curb Iranian influence. What to watch: Eisenkot has operated under the assumption that Netanyahu would be endorsed by President Trump. He tried to use his good relationship with GOP mega-donor Miriam Adelson to lobby Trump to stay on the sidelines. When Trump finally endorsed Netanyahu last week and again on Sunday, Eisenkot didn't criticize him, but rather praised the president's support for Israel. "I am convinced President Trump will work in full cooperation with any leader that will be elected by the Israeli people," Eisenkot wrote on X Monday.

‘The man has gone off the rails’

Israelis are about to vote to choose their next government. The race is wide open, and Benjamin Netanyahu's political fate could hinge on a couple key factors.

Even if Tuesday's pivotal elections in Israel mark the end of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decades-long political career, his legacy in the Israeli-occupied West Bank - of massive settlement expansion, the displacement of tens of thousands of Palestinians and the empowerment of armed settler extremists - will likely endure.

Naftali Bennett's Middle East vision includes expanding the Abraham Accords, but polls show him trailing Gadi Eisenkot and Prime Minister Netanyahu ahead of Israel's election.

Tomorrow Israelis will vote, many trembling for the future of their country, no matter which candidate they prefer.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition trails behind in polls ahead of Israel's first election since the start of the war in Gaza. Matt Gutman has more.

Israel is holding its first parliamentary election since the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas. Zvika Klein, the editor-in-chief of The Jerusalem Post, joins CBS News with more.

Israelis entered the final 24 hours of an intense election season on Monday, as reports circulated that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may have clashed with the Israeli military over initiating a possible escalation with Iran immediately before the vote.

“A Netanyahu defeat would be welcomed by most Gulf capitals,” according to Sanam Vakil.

Israeli parliamentary elections are being held on Tuesday, the first since Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack and Israel’s subsequent assault on Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is currently embroiled in a corruption scandal in Israel, is up for reelection. On Friday, after two Israeli soldiers were killed at a checkpoint near Hebron, just days before Israeli polls are set to open, Netanyahu announced heavy restrictions on the movement of Palestinians out of the West Bank. Since then, Israeli forces have detained and expelled thousands of Palestinian residents from the area and begun home demolitions to clear the way for future Israeli settlements. “The reason that they’re doing this is because this entire election is about who is going to be tougher on Palestinians,” says Palestinian human rights lawyer Diana Buttu. “What [Netanyahu is] trying to do in the lead-up to this is say to Israelis that ’I’m the only person who can provide you with security.’ So, while lighting the place on fire, he’s also selling water.” Buttu explains that Netanyahu’s opponents across the Israeli political spectrum are equally punitive toward Palestinians. “The fact that you have all of these parties that are advocating major war crimes and nobody is blinking says something very deep about Israeli society, but also about an international community that has fostered this and that has allowed this to brew for all of these years.”

Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking a new mandate in Israel’s first election since the 7 October 2023 Hamas attacks On Tuesday Israel holds its first election since the 7 October 2023 Hamas attacks, the deadliest day in the country’s history, which resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 people, the majority of them civilians. Since then Israel has pursued a war of annihilation in Gaza, launched two inconclusive wars with Iran, and intensified a campaign of state-backed ethnic cleansing in the occupied West Bank. Continue reading...

Israeli voters head to the polls Tuesday in an election that will test whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can survive another political storm amid deep divisions over the October 7 failures, years of war, and military service requirements. Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, faces a serious challenge from former Israel Defense Forces Chief of ...

Israelis will get the opportunity to vote whether to keep Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or replace him in the first election since the Oct. 7 attacks in 2023. New polls show Netanyahu is in a tight race with former Israeli Army Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot. NBC's Richard Engel reports for TODAY.

President Trump's Board of Peace has appointed Shelley Greenspan, who served as the White House's Jewish community liaison during the Biden administration, to lead its outreach to Congress and the Washington think tank community. Why it matters: Greenspan's selection is part of an effort by the Board of Peace to increase bipartisan support for President Trump's Gaza peace plan. The implementation of the plan is expected to get a renewed push after the midterms and the formation of a new Israeli government. The possibility of Democrats controlling the House or Senate makes the need for bipartisanship on the Gaza plan even more crucial. Driving the news: The plan has been stuck due to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's refusal to take any steps in Gaza before the October 27 elections. In recent months, multiple prominent Democrats have expressed support for Trump's plan. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton endorsed the plan in June, calling it the most viable proposal. Zoom in: Greenspan, a career civil servant at the State Department, was at the White House National Security Council during Biden's term — both as the American Jewish community liaison and the director for partnerships and elobal engagement. At the Board of Peace she will lead external affairs, putting her in charge of outreach to Congress and Middle East experts. What they're saying: "Shelley brings deep experience working across the aisle, having earned the trust of Democrats and Republicans alike through her service at the White House, National Security Council, and State Department in Democratic and Republican administrations," the Board of Peace told Axios in a statement. "Sustained, bipartisan support from Congress is essential to the work ahead, and Shelley is uniquely capable of leading this effort," the board added. Greenspan told Axios in a statement that she worked in her last State Department role to advance Trump's "vision for peace and prosperity in the Middle East." "I saw how the President's 20-Point Plan can tangibly deliver for the peoples of Gaza and Israel. I look forward to continuing that work with the Board," she said.

Coalition horse-trading could determine who takes power, but Netanyahu’s legacy will loom large regardless.

After three years of navigating war, crisis and global outcry, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing one of the most significant electoral tests of his decades-long political career.