serving prime minister faces the fight of his political life

On October 27, Israelis will head to the polls to vote in what is arguably the most important election in the country’s history. In our series of explainers, we lay out the runners and riders vying to lead the country. Here’s what you need to know about incumbent Prime Minister and Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu Benjamin Netanyahu has dominated Israeli politics for more than three decades. As Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, his career has been defined by political resilience, ideological consistency and an exceptional ability to survive crises that would have ended the careers of most leaders. Yet, as Israel approaches elections on October 27, Netanyahu faces perhaps the most difficult and consequential contest of his political life. Netanyahu entered public life through diplomacy rather than party politics.