Israel election: October 7 inquiry and draft shape vote

Israel's October 27 election campaign is being shaped by disputes over an inquiry into Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack, military conscription, security policy and the cost of living.

Many Israelis have demanded an independent state commission of inquiry into failures that allowed the October 7 attack, which killed more than 1,200 people. Opposition parties say creating such a commission would be their first priority if elected.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, which was in office when the attack occurred, has rejected that proposal. It has blamed the security establishment for failing to prevent the assault and proposed a bipartisan commission whose members would be appointed by politicians.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid wrote on X that the government-backed proposal was meant to prevent a genuine investigation. Netanyahu has also faced scrutiny over his government's past dealings with Qatar, which has financially backed Hamas and hosted the group's political leadership.

Security strategy is another central issue. Israel's government has pursued long military campaigns since October 7, with the army maintaining a presence in Gaza, southern Lebanon and Syria, carrying out regular operations in the occupied West Bank and conducting strikes in Iran and against Yemen's Tehran-backed Houthi rebels.

The Israeli military has established what it calls security zones in Gaza, southern Lebanon and Syria. Tens of thousands of reservists have been repeatedly mobilised since 2023, while military leaders have warned of manpower shortages.

Ofer Shelah, a researcher at Israel's Institute for National Security Studies, said on a podcast that Israel had moved from a logic of deterrence and prosperity between wars to a society that lives permanently by the sword.

The campaigns have brought growing international criticism. The death toll in Gaza alone has exceeded 73,000, according to the territory's health ministry, and thousands more have been killed in Lebanon. US President Donald Trump publicly rebuked Netanyahu over Israel's conduct during the conflict with Iran.

The debate over military-service exemptions for ultra-Orthodox Jews has widened into an argument over Israel's identity. Ultra-Orthodox parties want to preserve exemptions for religious students and are backed by Netanyahu's Likud party and far-right coalition partners. Most opposition parties support ending the exemptions and say they would not join a government that includes ultra-Orthodox parties.

Before parliament was dissolved, the outgoing coalition introduced measures promoting gender separation in some public spaces and passed legislation emphasising the importance of Torah study. Supporters say those policies strengthen Israel's Jewish character, while critics say they would increase religious influence over public life.

The economy is also a major concern. Israel has had strong growth, with GDP more than doubling since 2000, and historically low unemployment. But Israelis continue to face one of the world's highest costs of living, while median wages remain below the OECD average.

Economists cite housing shortages, trade barriers and limited competition in key sectors as drivers of high prices. The wars have added pressure. Since 2023, Israel's defence budget has doubled, making the balance between security spending and domestic priorities another question for voters.