What to know about the Israeli elections as Netanyahu faces a battle for survival

TEL AVIV — After three years of navigating war, crisis and global outcry, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing one of the most significant electoral tests of his decades-long political career.

As Israelis go to the polls on Tuesday, Netanyahu’s party is neck and neck with former Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, who has emerged as his strongest rival in a campaign that has revolved around everything from Israel’s security and military conscription to bread-and-butter issues like the economy.

Why is this election so important?

This is the first nationwide election in Israel since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led