Politics
Netanyahu and Eisenkot compete for Moroccan Jewish vote ahead of Israeli elections
July 14, 2026 at 04:54 PM
Coverage
With less than four months until the Knesset elections, former chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot, of Moroccan origin, challenges Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with polls showing a close contest.
- Israeli parliamentary elections are scheduled for late October 2026.
- A Channel 12 poll published in July 2026 showed Eisenkot leading Netanyahu 43% to 34% in the direct race, with his party projected to win 23 seats to Likud's 22.
- Leaked recordings captured former Netanyahu spokesperson Ziv Agmon making derogatory remarks about Likud members of Mizrahi and Moroccan descent.