MEDIA RELEASE
28 October 2026
As Israel’s election result remains unclear, the Jewish Council of Australia reminds the Australian Government that increasing pressure on Israel to end its genocide and apartheid regime remains urgent no matter who ends up in power.
Early exit polls predict Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right Likud party is likely to remain the biggest single party in the Knesset, while Gadi Eisenkot’s bloc is following closely. Voter turnout for the first election since October 7 was at its highest in two decades.
Former General Gadi Eisenkot authored the IDF’s ‘Dayiheh doctrine’ of targeting civilian areas and infrastructure with intentionally disproportionate violence, a policy of war crimes that culminated in the Gazan genocide. Eisenkot opposes the Two State Solution, supports the continuation of the illegal settlement project in the West Bank, and is likely to continue Israel’s wars in Lebanon, Syria and Iran.
Just yesterday, a UN Commission of Inquiry confirmed that Israel’s genocide in Gaza has continued despite the declared ceasefire, and that the state has also committed crimes against humanity and war crimes in the West Bank.
No matter the election result, Australia must increase pressure on Israel to end the genocide and apartheid it is inflicting on Palestinians.
The Jewish Council is calling on the Australian government to:
- Support the Red Lines Package that would ensure Australia does not arm, fund, or invest in genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity or illegal occupation, anywhere in the world.
- Impose sanctions against Israel and Israeli government officials responsible for war crimes;
- End the two-way arms trade with Israel;
- Hold Israel accountable for its blatant violations of international law.
Sarah Schwartz, Executive Director at the Jewish Council of Australia said:
“Only changing the figurehead will not change the apartheid system. As the results roll in, we can see that all leading Israeli parties support the continuation of the genocide in Gaza and oppose a two state solution.
The UN Commission of Inquiry has been clear that the apparent ceasefire has done nothing to stop Israel’s genocide – and that war crimes and crimes against humanity are also being committed in the West Bank.
If the Australian Government has been waiting for a lifeline to absolve itself of responsibility, they won’t find one in this election.
Israeli human rights organisations are urging the international community to not become complacent. If there is a change in leadership, that is only more reason to renew pressure to end the killing and end the apartheid regime. Our moral and legal obligation remains, no matter the election results.”
Dr. Naama Blatman, Jewish Council Advisory Member and Senior Lecturer at UNSW, Israeli-Australian said:
“What this election has shown is that while Israeli Jewish voters are sharply divided on all manner of internal debates – on Palestine there is still a majority consensus in favour of endless occupation and de facto apartheid.
The major Israeli opposition parties have promised that if they form government they will improve Israel’s ‘Hasbarah’ – its public relations – not its treatment of Palestinians or its shocking human rights record.
The international community should not be fooled. Whatever the final results, the Australian government faces the same choice as it had before the election: continue to issue sternly worded warnings to an indifferent Israeli government, or take concrete actions that would end its impunity.”
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