Benjamin Netanyahu will seek re-election in Israel’s national election scheduled by October 2026, the Likud Party announced on June 10, 2026 [1, 2, 3]. Netanyahu, 76, is Israel's longest-serving prime minister, currently serving his third non-consecutive term since December 2022 [3, 4, 5].
The election will be the first since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, considered Israel's worst security failure and a catalyst for the ongoing conflict [1, 2, 6]. Recent polls show 61% of Israelis oppose Netanyahu running again, but opposition camps alone cannot form a majority without Arab parties [1, 2, 6].
Netanyahu faces ongoing corruption charges, which he denies. Former U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly called for Netanyahu to be pardoned but questioned his intention to run, saying, "I don't know, he's had an amazing career. Does he want to continue?" [1, 3]. Trump and Netanyahu have a complex relationship; Trump recently called Netanyahu "f***ing crazy" during a phone call [1, 3].
Netanyahu’s health has been a public concern; he underwent successful surgery for an early-stage malignant tumor and had a pacemaker implanted [3, 4]. Despite these issues, Likud affirmed, "Prime Minister Netanyahu will run in the next elections and, God Willing, he will win" [3].
The exact election date remains unannounced but must occur by October 2026 per law [1, 2, 6]. This election could define the country's political direction in the aftermath of unprecedented security challenges.
