Netanyahu Seeks Re-election With a New, Hawkish Image Before Israel's Oct. 27 Vote

Summary

Israel heads to the polls on October 27, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the country's longest-serving and most polarising leader, is seeking re-election. The Oct. 7 attacks damaged his image as "Mr. Security," according to The New York Times, and ahead of the vote he is trying to convince Israelis of a new, hawkish version of himself. The Straits Times likewise reports that he is trying to persuade Israelis to return him to office. Al Jazeera separately examines how Netanyahu has reshaped Israel's institutions during his time in office.

Timeline

1. Al Jazeera

   24 Oct 2026, 05:29 UTCSource ↗

   Al Jazeera reports that as Israel heads to the polls on October 27, its polarising and longest-serving prime minister, Netanyahu, is seeking re-election, and it examines how he has reshaped Israel's institutions.

2. The Straits Times

   24 Oct 2026, 08:01 UTCSource ↗

   The Straits Times reports that Netanyahu is trying to persuade Israelis to return him to office in elections on Oct 27.

3. The New York Times

   24 Oct 2026, 17:45 UTCSource ↗

   The New York Times reports that the Oct. 7 attacks marred Netanyahu's image as "Mr. Security" and that, ahead of elections, he is trying to sell Israelis on a new, hawkish version of himself.