Bibi's moment of truth: Israel votes in first general election since October 7

The turnout tells the tale. Israelis casting ballots in their largest numbers in decades in the first general election since the October Seventh attacks of 2023. A referendum on the bloodiest day in the nation’s history? Definitely that. And more: What kind of Israel do citizens want? 

While traditional allies have long lost sympathy with the unending punishment inflicted on Gaza and the terror attacks by Jewish settlers in the West Bank, Israelis are instead divided over the new normal for them, how a nation that usually strived to avoid prolonged campaigns now lives in a permanent state of war, the prime minister even embracing the concept of a "super Sparta state", a nod to the martial ways of the ancient Greek city, a splendid isolation backed up by Benjamin Netanyahu’s promise to keep the United States on Israel's side. 

We'll ask about the other issues driving that very high turnout, a turnout surely synonymous with surprises. What weight for the country’s fastest growing constituency… the ultra-Orthodox? How about the one in five citizens who are Palestinian? Their turnout’s usually lower. And all those who've flown in from abroad? Which way will the country break?

Produced by François Picard, Maya Yataghène, Juliette Laffont, Ilayda Habip, Charles Wente.

Our guests

• Shirli SITBON FRANCE 24 International Affairs Editor

• Clovis CASALI FRANCE 24 reporter

• Noga TARNOPOLSKY FRANCE 24 Jerusalem correspondent

• Barak SEENER Associate Researcher, Henry Jackson Society

• Rula HARDAL Co-Director, "A Land for All"