Polls Project Record Female Lawmakers and Newcomers for 26th Knesset
Polls project a record 34 women, 48 newcomers, and sharp security background disparities for Israel's upcoming 26th Knesset elections on October 27, 2026.
With 46 days remaining until the opening of the polling stations, recent party lists and poll aggregates provide a clear projection of the incoming 26th Knesset. While shifts are still expected before the October 27, 2026 vote, current trends point to record numbers of female lawmakers, a surge in political newcomers, and stark demographic disparities across the political blocs.
Record Female Representation and Bloc Disparities
According to an average of recent polls from Channels 11, 12, and 13, the upcoming Knesset is projected to feature a record 34 female lawmakers—surpassing the previous highs seen in the 23rd and 24th Knessets. However, the distribution of women across party lines remains deeply uneven. Within the "Change Bloc" (excluding Arab parties), 25 out of 46 percent of projected lawmakers are women. Conversely, parties slated to recommend Benjamin Netanyahu—including Likud, the ultra-Orthodox factions, and newcomer right-wing lists—project just seven women out of 51 projected mandates.
Prominent lists show varied representation. In the "Yashar!" party led by Gadi Eisenkot, which polls at 24 mandates, half of its lawmakers are projected to be women, led by former minister Orit Farkash-Hacohen at number three. In the "Be-яahad" joint list of Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, six of the top 12 candidates are women, headed by former Treasury and Transportation Director-General Keren Terner-Eyal. The "Democrats" alliance led by Yair Golan features a zipper system with five women in the top ten. Meanwhile, Likud projects only three women in its top 20 spots, including Miri Regev at number five.
Security Backgrounds and New Faces
Substantial gaps also separate the blocs regarding military and security experience. The "Change Bloc" includes a former IDF Chief of Staff (Eisenkot), a former Shin Bet director (Yoram Cohen), a former Mossad deputy, a former Deputy Chief of Staff (Yair Golan), and three reserve major generals. In contrast, Netanyahu's governing coalition and supporting parties feature no reserve major generals or equivalent high-ranking security veterans.
The polls indicate that 48 new lawmakers will enter the Knesset, accounting for roughly 40 percent of the legislature—nearing historical records. This influx is largely driven by new political actors, notably Eisenkot's "Yashar!" party, which is projected to introduce 18 fresh faces to the parliament.
Ties to October 7 and Community Representation
Several candidates across the political spectrum carry direct personal connections to the tragic events of October 7, 2023. These include parents and siblings of fallen soldiers and hostages, reflecting the profound societal impact of the ongoing war. Meanwhile, representation for specific demographic groups shows sharp declines; candidates of post-Soviet heritage face a significant drop, with only three Russian-speakers projected to secure seats compared to seven in the outgoing parliament.
