London | Oct. 22, 2026, 6:06 p.m. ET | 4 min read

An embattled Israel is electing a new parliament next week, and the question facing voters is straightforward: whether to let their longest-serving prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, keep his job.

Their verdict will have an impact not just in Israel but beyond.

And perhaps most immediately, to judge by Mr. Netanyahu’s renewed call on Wednesday for forced regime change there, on prospects for a return to full-scale war with Iran.

Mr. Netanyahu, or “Bibi” as he’s known in Israel, has been in charge for a total of 20 years and leads the most right-wing coalition in the country’s history.

In the three years since Hamas mounted a cross-border attack and murdered, raped, or kidnapped hundreds of civilians, he has been the driving force behind Israel’s devastating military response in Gaza.

And he’s also been co-architect, alongside U.S. President Donald Trump, of the Iran war, a conflict Mr. Trump, too, has hinted at restarting with Mr.…