ISRAEL VOTES
Why should believers care about an election in Israel?
Because Israel has a unique place in God’s purposes. The Lord chose Abraham and his descendants, made covenant promises to them, and declared that through Abraham’s family “all the families of the earth” would be blessed (Genesis 12:1–3). Scripture traces the coming of the Messiah through Israel and speaks of God’s continuing faithfulness to that people: “the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:28–29). Israel’s story is therefore more than a matter of international politics. It has deep spiritual significance within the biblical account of God’s dealings with the nations and the return of the Messiah.
That conviction gives this election particular weight for believers. On Tuesday, 27 October, Israelis will choose the 26th Knesset after years of war, national trauma and fierce debate over the country’s future. We should pray for the people of Israel and for those who will govern them: for wisdom, courage, justice and protection. It reminds us that Israel remains within the scope of God’s covenant purposes, and that we should watch these events with humility, biblical understanding and prayer.
What are Israelis weighing?
The contest is close. Recent polling suggests neither the governing parties nor their opponents has a clear path to the 61 seats needed to form a government. About 30 per cent of voters were still undecided in a KAN (Israel's Public Broadcaster) poll published this week. The result may be difficult to predict; the coalition negotiations afterwards may be just as difficult to follow. Israeli politics has a way of turning “Who won?” into “Who can form a government?”
For many, this election is also a judgement on Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership. His critics are asking what responsibility he bears for the failures that preceded 7 October. His supporters point to the military response and Israel’s actions against its enemies. That argument reaches into the country’s deepest wounds: how did such a devastating attack happen, who must answer for it, and what kind of leadership can keep Israel safe?
The candidates do not offer a simple choice between one side that cares about security and another that does not. Netanyahu’s leading challengers also regard Iran as a central threat and reject the creation of a Palestinian state. They differ more over how to turn military gains into lasting security and political outcomes.
In a KAN poll, the economy and cost of living ranked first among voters’ concerns, at 34 per cent, closely followed by national security at 32 per cent. The balance differed across political camps: coalition-aligned voters more often named security, while opposition-aligned voters more often named the economy and cost of living. These figures tell us something simple and important: people want their families to be safe, and they want to be able to afford everyday life.
Other issues concern fairness and trust. Who should serve in the Israel Defense Forces, and on what terms? An Israel Democracy Institute survey found strong support among Jewish respondents for an egalitarian conscription law and for a state commission of inquiry into the failures surrounding 7 October. The questions are bound up with national service, political accountability and whether the public believes its institutions will tell the truth.
The relationship between government and judiciary, religion and state, and the future character of Israeli democracy are also part of the wider debate. These are not just items on a campaign checklist. They shape how some people understand their shared responsibilities and whether those who disagree can still see one another as fellow citizens in what is a deeply divided and culturally diverse nation.
Does Israel’s election matter to Jews worldwide? Yes, but most Diaspora Jews cannot vote. Israeli citizens abroad generally must return home to cast a ballot; only eligible officials and their families may vote at embassies. About 4,200 did so early this year.
Rising antisemitism does add to the importance of the election, however Israelis differ over whether government policies contribute to it, while Jews in the Diaspora weigh Israel’s security alongside its impact on Jewish communities abroad. In other words, Israelis are choosing leaders whose decisions will affect the nation’s security, its ties with the world and Jewish communities across the globe.
Security on Israel’s borders—and the Iran question
Israel faces pressure on several fronts. In Gaza, the ceasefire remains fragile and Hamas is still armed. Israeli media report that the IDF has reinforced its readiness for possible rocket fire, attacks on military positions or infiltration attempts around election day. Officials have not identified a specific planned attack, but the possibility of disruption is being taken seriously.
On the Lebanese border, US-mediated security talks have not resolved the central dispute: Hezbollah has not disarmed, and Israeli forces remain in southern Lebanon. Israel says its operations are needed to prevent Hezbollah rebuilding its capabilities; Lebanon wants the strikes to stop and Israeli forces to withdraw. Syria is another source of tension, with Israel maintaining a security zone and Damascus demanding its withdrawal.
The greatest escalation risk is likely to be with Iran. Israeli media report that Israeli and US forces are preparing for the possibility of renewed strikes, and that a recent Israeli air-force exercise near Iran’s border carried a risk of miscalculation. Commentators suggest another strike is possible, but reports do not confirm that an attack is imminent or ordered before Israel’s election.
This uncertainty could influence voters. Some may see a forceful posture as necessary deterrence; others may fear a new conflict and Iranian missile retaliation. Israelis are weighing not only who promises security, but who they trust to judge when to use force, and how to protect the country from the consequences. And of course many in Israel think Benjamin Netanyahu will take the opportunity to exploit this situation.
A positive outlook, with some caution in Israel's economy
There is encouraging news on the economic front. On 21 October, the Bank of Israel held its policy rate at 3.25 per cent. It reported annual inflation of 1.6 per cent in September, within its 1–3 per cent target range. It forecasts GDP growth of 5.6 per cent in 2026 and 7.5 per cent in 2027. Even excluding production by Israeli companies overseas, it expects domestic growth of 3.4 per cent this year and 5.1 per cent next year. The Bank also reported continued growth following a strong second-quarter recovery.
That is a positive picture of economic resilience after years of war. But the forecast comes with some caution: some of the headline growth comes from production abroad, which does not flow directly into Israeli household incomes. The Bank also points to supply constraints, geopolitical uncertainty and difficult choices about funding security while sustaining growth. The shekel has weakened against the US dollar since the previous rate decision and while there is good news it is not a guarantee that every household will be better off in the near future.
The God who raises and removes kings
Believers must always remember, God is sovereign over nations and rulers.
Daniel’s words are relevant for such times: God “removes kings and sets up kings” (Daniel 2:21). Proverbs adds that “the king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord” (Proverbs 21:1). Scripture presents this sovereignty not as a reason to shrug at human choices. Leaders remain accountable and voters carry responsibility, while we can pray for justice and and peace.
God’s sovereignty also precludes us from claiming that a particular election outcome must be His endorsement of a particular party. Rather it gives us something stronger than political certainty: it gives confidence that no leader rises beyond God’s reach, and no nation falls outside His purposes.
So we pray for Israel as it votes, not as spectators searching for a prophecy in every result, but as believers asking God to grant wisdom, restrain evil, uphold justice and guide those who will govern. The outcome matters deeply to Israelis. Yet whatever the ballot brings, the final authority remains with the Lord.
