Israel heads to Knesset elections on October 27 after the outgoing legislature completed a rare full four-year term. Polls show Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud trailing or tied with Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party, with the broader right-religious bloc and the main Zionist opposition each short of the 61 seats needed for a majority. Surplus-vote agreements and small parties near the 3.25% threshold add uncertainty to final seat counts. Central campaign issues include security outcomes from the wars in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran, plus ultra-Orthodox military exemptions. Post-election coalition talks will hinge on which parties cross the threshold, willingness to include or exclude Arab lists, and potential scenarios ranging from a narrow majority to a unity government or fresh elections.