Israel election 2026 today: Will Netanyahu’s win or defeat affect India ties?

Israel elections 2026: As Israelis head to elect the 120 members of the 26th Knesset, or Parliament Tuesday, October 27, New Delhi is closely tracking the political developments there. For India, the key question is whether a change of regime in Jerusalem would impact New Delhi’s ties with Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a tough fight from his closest rival, former army chief Gadi Eisenkot, and former premier Naftali Bennett, among others. Most pre-election surveys predicted a hung Parliament, with no party likely to secure a clear majority.

However, defence, technology, and economic cooperation are expected to keep the partnership between India and Israel going.

Speaking to news agency ANI on Monday, Mishelle Sirota, spokesperson for the Embassy of Israel in India, said, “India and Israel’s relationship will not change, even for the slightest, no matter who is going to be chosen.”

She added that the embassy will support whichever party is elected to form the next government.

Israeli author and political analyst Alec Pollard, speaking with  PTI Videos,  said, “Whoever wins the election, Israel and India will continue to be good friends and to be close.” He added that the relationship is highly valued by Israel.

Pollard further said that a change in leadership could, however, bring a new dimension to bilateral relations, with a new prime minister’s ability to establish a rapport with Prime Minister Narendra Modi remaining a key factor.

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Israel Elections 2026 · Face-off

Netanyahu vs opposition: Where do they stand?

AP

Benjamin NetanyahuPrime minister, Likud

REUTERS

Gadi EisenkotYashar leader, ex-army chief

VS

1. Pick an issue

IranGazaStatehoodSecurity

2. Show

On the recordWhat they have doneCampaign trailWhat they promise

NetanyahuDOCUMENTEDWent to war with Iran, twice12-day war in June 2025; joint US strikes on Feb 28, 2026, in which Khamenei was killed.NPR

EisenkotDOCUMENTEDRan a covert air war on Iran in SyriaAs army chief (2015–19), struck thousands of targets, disclosed in 2019.Ynet

NetanyahuCAMPAIGN“Break Iran’s murderous regime”Wants the threat removed and “multiple peace treaties”.Jerusalem Post interview, Oct 21

EisenkotCAMPAIGNA US “kill zone” around Iran’s uraniumNo deal that only delays the threat; more covert Mossad operations.As reported by The Jerusalem Post

NetanyahuDOCUMENTEDSigned on to Trump’s ceasefireAgreed to the US-brokered Gaza truce in October 2025.The Jerusalem Post

EisenkotDOCUMENTEDQuit the war cabinetLeft in June 2024, saying “politics infiltrated” its decisions.Resignation letter to Netanyahu

NetanyahuCAMPAIGN“Absolute victory” over HamasRebuilding only after Hamas fully disarms.The Jerusalem Post

EisenkotCAMPAIGNPartial rebuilding for partial disarmamentWould accept the Palestinian Authority in Gaza if Hamas is kept out.The Jerusalem Post

NetanyahuDOCUMENTEDCoalition voted against a Palestinian stateKnesset resolution, July 2024: passed 68–9.Knesset vote, July 18, 2024

EisenkotDOCUMENTEDHis then-party backed the same voteNational Unity supported it; its MK Ze’ev Elkin sponsored it.Knesset vote, July 18, 2024

NetanyahuCAMPAIGN“No Palestinian state, period.”His “first principle” for any government he forms.Jerusalem Post interview, Oct 21

EisenkotCAMPAIGN“Two states… is a mistake”No move towards a state, “certainly not during a first term”.Al Jazeera; The Jerusalem Post

NetanyahuDOCUMENTEDDropped detention orders for Jewish extremistsEnded in January 2025; 100+ West Bank farms allowed.The Jerusalem Post

EisenkotDOCUMENTEDIsrael’s army chief, 2015–19Earlier headed the army’s Northern Command.The Jerusalem Post

NetanyahuCAMPAIGNKeep the full buffer zonesLebanon zone deeper than 10 km in places.The Jerusalem Post

EisenkotCAMPAIGNA state inquiry into October 7“Netanyahu was warned and did not act.” Also: draft the Haredim.Al Jazeera

Where they overlap

No Palestinian state nowEnd Hamas rule in GazaSecurity zones in Lebanon & Syria

The Jerusalem Post analysis, Oct 19; Al Jazeera

Sources: The Jerusalem Post; Al Jazeera; NPR; Ynet. Photos: AP (Netanyahu), Reuters (Eisenkot).

Created by Aniruddha Dhar

Defence and technology remain key pillars

India and Israel signed a memorandum of understanding on defence cooperation on November 4, 2025. During Modi’s visit to Israel in February 2026, the countries elevated their relationship to a “Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation and Prosperity” and committed to deeper cooperation in defence, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, semiconductors, quantum computing, agriculture, water management and space.

The pacts provide an institutional foundation for continuity, although the next government’s policies will determine how individual projects progress.

Trade and regional connectivity

Bilateral trade, investment and negotiations for a proposed free trade agreement are further areas to watch. India and Israel are also involved in regional initiatives such as the I2U2 grouping – India, Israel, the United States and the United Arab Emirates – and the proposed India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).

A change of leadership could influence diplomatic priorities and the tone of engagement, particularly amid wider tensions in West Asia. But existing agreements and shared interests offer a basis for continued cooperation.

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The election, therefore, may change the political dynamic between Modi and Israel’s next prime minister, without necessarily bringing a fundamental reset in bilateral ties.

What if Netanyahu wins

Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, has built close ties with Modi. A Netanyahu victory would preserve the familiar leadership channel between New Delhi and Jerusalem, although the future course of bilateral ties would also depend on policy decisions and regional developments.

For India, renewed conflict with Iran and its allies could raise concerns about energy supplies, regional trade and connectivity. New Delhi would have to balance its defence partnership with Israel against its broader economic and strategic interests in the Gulf and West Asia.