Israel votes in national election seen as test for Netanyahu

■ Steady

Israelis vote in first national election since the October 7 attack

Millions of Israelis began voting on Tuesday in an election billed as the most consequential in the country's history and widely seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. A former general is seen as his main center-right challenger. The campaign has been dominated by security fears, judicial reform, conscription and Israel's identity.

• It is the first national election since Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack.
• Thousands marched in Tel Aviv on Saturday against Netanyahu's government, demanding accountability for the failure to prevent the attack.
• Israel votes while involved in multiple wars and facing international criticism and domestic divisions.
• Al Jazeera says a new government would not end the occupation but could rein in the far right and ease regional tensions.