IQN (NewsDesk): Israel holds a general election on Tuesday, its first parliamentary vote since the Hamas led attacks of October 7, 2023, with the contest expected to test Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ability to stay in power.
On Saturday, tens of thousands of people joined an anti government demonstration at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, demanding a state commission of inquiry into the attacks. Public pressure for accountability over the security failures has been a defining theme of the campaign, with Netanyahu having refused to accept personal responsibility or order a formal state inquiry.
The vote comes as Israel continues military operations in the West Bank, where Hebron’s mayor says about 2,200 Palestinians have been forced from their homes in recent days. A US based billionaire Trump backer has also said far right ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich should not serve in the next Israeli government, adding to the debate over what kind of coalition may follow.
