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Israelis vote in first national election since October 7 attacks

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Coverage spectrum

Covered by 29 outlets across the spectrum.

104 articles in total, 7 of them opinion. The spectrum counts each outlet once and leaves opinion out. How we measure bias

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Israelis voted on Tuesday, October 27, in the country's first national election since the October 7, 2023 attacks. Pre-election polls showed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party and the opposition roughly tied. The race has been described as a referendum on Netanyahu. France 24 reported turnout of 55 percent by 4pm local time, and CBS News said turnout was higher than in decades. CBS News reported the outcome as still unclear, and coalition talks could take weeks or months to produce a government.

Headline and summary written by Mantle’s AI from the coverage below, under published rules. How this works

What happened

Key points

Each point shows who reports it, from Far Left to Far Right.

  1. Israel held its first national election since the October 7, 2023 attacks on Tuesday, October 27.

    Across the spectrumReported byLeft4Center3Right2Far Right2See the outletsHide the outlets
    Left
    Bloomberg, Al Jazeera English, The New York Times, CBS News
    Center
    CNBC, Semafor, France 24
    Right
    New York Post, Washington Examiner
    Far Right
    Just the News, The Daily Wire

  2. Turnout was reported as higher than in decades, at 55 percent by 4pm local time.

    Reported byLeft1Center1See the outletsHide the outlets
    Left
    CBS News
    Center
    France 24

  3. Pre-election polls showed Netanyahu's Likud and the opposition roughly tied, with the race described as close.

    Reported byLeft1Center1Right1Far Right1See the outletsHide the outlets
    Left
    Bloomberg
    Center
    Semafor
    Right
    New York Post
    Far Right
    Just the News

  4. The outcome was still unclear on election day, and forming a new government could take weeks or months.

    One side only: the leftReported byLeft2See the outletsHide the outlets
    Left
    The New York Times, CBS News

How each side tells it

Compare views

Every side reports that Israel held its first national election since the October 7 attacks on Tuesday, October 27. Left and center headlines emphasize turnout and the referendum on Netanyahu, while right-side headlines ask whether he still deserves to lead and stress the security failures.

  • the left

    10 outlets

    Left-side headlines lead with the high turnout and the uncertain outcome, or with the vote as a referendum on Netanyahu.

    Israeli election turnout higher than in decades as outcome still unclear
    CBS NewsLeftAll left-leaning headlines

  • the center

    9 outlets

    Center headlines lead with process and live facts, such as how the election works, turnout figures and coalition arithmetic.

    Israel elections: voter turnout reaches 55% by 4pm local time
    France 24CenterAll center headlines

  • the right

    10 outlets · 1 opinion

    Right-side headlines ask whether Netanyahu still deserves to lead after the October 7 attacks; Far Right outlets add his survival and the security failures critics cite.

    Israelis set to decide whether Netanyahu Loaded verb“still deserves to lead”Asks whether he merits office, a judgement about his record that the election itself is meant to decide.More neutral: Israelis set to vote on Netanyahu's leadership after Oct. 7 attacksDisagree with this highlight? after Oct. 7 attacks
    New York PostRightAll right-leaning headlines

The words they chose

Language to notice

Words that carry a judgement beyond the facts. Tap a highlighted word anywhere on the page to see why.

  • Left12

    genocidal war on Gazagenocidal war against Palestinianswar on Gazaaggressive tactics

  • Center5

    some have describedapocalyptic imagesthreat to democracymany describe as the most consequential

  • Right4

    still deserves to leadrebuke Netanyahuomnipresent threatreveals her pick

In the outlets’ own words

  • Absolutist framing

    genocidal war on GazaMore neutral: war in Gaza

    The phrase presents a contested legal characterization of the war as settled fact in the outlet’s own voice.

    …the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023, the onset of Israel’s subsequent genocidal war on Gaza and a wider conflict that has seen Israel carry out attacks in several…

    Used byAl Jazeera English (Left)

  • Vague attribution

    some have describedMore neutral: an election that BBC News describes as among the most consequential in the country's history

    The superlative is attributed to unnamed people rather than to a identified source.

    Israeli voters are preparing to head to the polls in an election some have described as the most consequential in the country's history.

    Used byBBC News (Center)

  • Absolutist framing

    genocidal war against PalestiniansMore neutral: war in Gaza

    Describing the war as genocidal presents a contested characterization as settled fact in the outlet's own voice.

    …the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023 and the subsequent genocidal war against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, is being called one of the most important in its…

    Used byAl Jazeera English (Left)

  • Loaded verb

    still deserves to leadMore neutral: Israelis set to vote on Netanyahu's leadership after Oct. 7 attacks

    Asks whether he merits office, a judgement about his record that the election itself is meant to decide.

    Israelis set to decide whether Netanyahu still deserves to lead after Oct.

    Used byNew York Post (Right)

Show 17 more phrasesShow fewer

  • Sensational language

    apocalyptic imagesMore neutral: dire warnings

    The phrase describes campaign messaging with dramatic language rather than neutrally stating what each camp warned.

    …looked neck-and-neck ahead of voting on Tuesday, with opposing camps painting apocalyptic images of what the future holds if they lost.

    Used bySemafor (Center)

  • Partisan shorthand

    threat to democracyMore neutral: describe the specific action and its legal status

    Conclusion stated as description; say what was done.

    …Iranian nuclear attack; his main opponent, meanwhile, argued Netanyahu posed a threat to democracy and issued a “final wake-up call.

    Used bySemafor (Center)

  • Partisan shorthand

    war on GazaMore neutral: war in Gaza

    The phrase assigns the conflict to Israel as aggressor, while other outlets describe wars that ignited in Gaza after the October 7 attacks.

    …the polls to vote for their next government in the first election since Israel’s war on Gaza began in October 2023.

    Used byAl Jazeera English (Left)

  • Loaded verb

    rebuke NetanyahuMore neutral: criticize Netanyahu

    Rebuke adds a judgement of condemnation to what the residents said about the prime minister.

    Israelis in war-ravaged border communities rebuke Netanyahu as country heads to polls: ‘We need ‘hope’

    Used byNew York Post (Right)

  • Sensational language

    omnipresent threatMore neutral: the threat of terrorism

    Omnipresent overstates how constant the threat is, which the article does not measure.

    The voters will now decide if this new scenario — defined by the omnipresent threat of terrorism, civil disunity among religious and ethnic minorities, and a lack…

    Used byWashington Examiner (Right)

  • Loaded modifier

    aggressive tacticsMore neutral: tactics

    Calling his tactics aggressive is a judgement of his conduct stated in the outlet's own voice.

    This election is in part a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's aggressive tactics.

    Used byCBS News (Left)

  • Vague attribution

    many describe as the most consequentialMore neutral: a major national election

    The claim that the election is the most consequential in years is attributed to unnamed people and is not sourced.

    Israelis will go to the polls on Tuesday in what many describe as the most consequential election in years.

    Used byPBS NewsHour (Center)

  • Absolutist framing

    genocidal warMore neutral: war in Gaza

    Calling the war genocidal presents a contested legal and political characterization as settled fact in the outlet’s own voice.

    …or the Knesset, in the first general vote since the October 2023 start of the genocidal war against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

    Used byAl Jazeera English (Left)

  • Loaded modifier

    most far-right governmentMore neutral: a government led by right-wing parties

    Characterizes the government as the most extreme in Israel's history in the outlet's own voice, which is a judgement rather than a verifiable fact.

    For Netanyahu, 76, who has led the most far-right government in Israel’s history, the stakes are both political and personal.

    Used byThe Guardian (Left)

  • Loaded modifier

    fractiousMore neutral: divided

    Calling the opposition fractious labels it as quarrelsome before the vote shows whether it can unite.

    …explains that “the name of the game” after Election Day is whether the country’s fractious opposition, including an Arab-Israeli majority bloc, can come together to form a…

    Used byFrance 24 (Center)

  • Absolutist framing

    pogroms in the occupied West BankMore neutral: violence in the occupied West Bank

    It presents a contested characterization of violence in the West Bank as settled fact in the outlet's own voice.

    The first election since those attacks comes at a time when Israel’s pogroms in the occupied West Bank have escalated, and amid mounting tensions with several of its…

    Used byAl Jazeera English (Left)

  • Vague attribution

    questions have been raisedMore neutral: state the question and who is asking

    The writer is raising the question while pretending someone else did.

    Almost 45 percent of Israelis had cast a ballot by mid-afternoon, but questions have been raised about possible voter suppression in Arab towns.

    Used byAl Jazeera English (Left)

  • Partisan shorthand

    voter suppressionMore neutral: describe the specific voting rule and its effect

    Conclusion about intent and effect; describe the rule.

    …cast a ballot by mid-afternoon, but questions have been raised about possible voter suppression in Arab towns.

    Used byAl Jazeera English (Left)

  • Loaded verb

    reveals her pickMore neutral: says who she voted for

    Presents a voter’s choice as a secret being disclosed, adding drama to a routine report of her vote.

    Israel election turnout on pace for highest in 50 years — as Gal Gadot reveals her pick

    Used byNew York Post (Right)

  • Loaded modifier

    racial appealMore neutral: remarks about Arab citizens

    The headline labels the remarks racial, a characterization of the speech rather than a description of its content.

    Netanyahu accuses Arab citizens of ‘trying to steal the elections’ in racial appeal to voters.

    Used byThe New York Times (Left)

  • Vague attribution

    some analysts have calledMore neutral: Name the analysts who describe it as the most important legislative election.

    Attributes the claim that this is the most important election to unnamed analysts.

    …jetting off to Israel, where voters turned out in record numbers for what some analysts have called the most important legislative election in the country’s history.

    Used byVox (Far Left)

  • Sensational language

    day of reckoningMore neutral: election day

    Frames the vote as a final judgement on Netanyahu before the result is known.

    Benjamin Netanyahu’s day of reckoning is here

    Used byVox (Far Left)

Words quoted from someone else (8)Hide the quoted words

Loaded words that outlets reported someone else saying. They show what was said, not how the outlet chose to say it.

  • Hateful rhetoric

    Quoted

    trying to steal the electionsMore neutral: made claims about irregularities by Arab voters at polling stations

    The headline ties Arab citizens as a group to a criminal act, although the words are attributed to Netanyahu.

    Attacks or dehumanizes a person or a group because of who they are: their race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability.

    Netanyahu accuses Arab citizens of ‘trying to steal the elections’ in racial appeal to voters.

    Quoted byThe New York Times (Left)

    These are Benjamin Netanyahu’s words. The outlets are reporting them.

  • Hateful rhetoric

    Quoted

    stealing the electionsMore neutral: claimed Arab voters were irregular at polling stations

    The words tie Palestinian citizens as a group to a criminal act, although they are attributed to Netanyahu.

    Attacks or dehumanizes a person or a group because of who they are: their race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability.

    …accused Palestinian citizens in Israel of ‘raiding the polling stations and stealing the elections’.

    Quoted byAl Jazeera English (Left)

    These are Benjamin Netanyahu’s words. The outlets are reporting them.

  • Delegitimizing label

    Quoted

    a dictatorshipMore neutral: a protester said the government was undemocratic

    A protester's claim that the government is a dictatorship is a contested political charge, presented here without supporting evidence.

    "We cannot be a dictatorship!" said one woman.

    Quoted byCBS News (Left)

    These are one woman quoted at the protest’s words. The outlets are reporting them.

  • Loaded modifier

    Quoted

    these criminalsMore neutral: officials the protester accused of wrongdoing

    Calling officials criminals before any charge or finding is a judgement carried in a protester's quoted words.

    "And we cannot have these criminals running our country." Tuesday will be the first parliamentary elections since the…

    Quoted byCBS News (Left)

    These are one woman quoted at the protest’s words. The outlets are reporting them.

Show 4 more quoted phrasesShow fewer

  • Sensational language

    Quoted

    Emergency hourMore neutral: call to vote now

    The headline puts an urgent, dramatic label on the call to vote, which adds drama beyond the reported facts.

    Netanyahu warns of high turnout in Israeli election: ‘Emergency hour’

    Quoted byWashington Examiner (Right)

    These are Benjamin Netanyahu’s words. The outlets are reporting them.

  • Sensational language

    Quoted

    bloody reignMore neutral: rule

    The adjective adds drama to a political criticism of the prime minister.

    …on social media on Tuesday that Netanyahu knew that “we can put an end to his bloody reign”.

    Quoted byAl Jazeera English (Left)

    These are Yousef Jabareen’s words. The outlets are reporting them.

  • Sensational language

    Quoted

    will destroy everything hereMore neutral: would harm the country

    The phrase is an extreme prediction about a government's effect, stated as certainty.

    A government of the Left and Arabs will destroy everything here.

    Quoted byThe Western Journal (Far Right)

    These are Benjamin Netanyahu’s words. The outlets are reporting them.

  • Sensational language

    Quoted

    on the Brink of RuinMore neutral: concerned about the country's future

    The phrase dramatizes a political warning about the country's future.

    …'Deeply Concerned' by Initial Israeli Election Data: 'The Jewish State Is on the Brink of Ruin'

    Quoted byThe Western Journal (Far Right)

    These are Benjamin Netanyahu’s words. The outlets are reporting them.

See the full language guide

See for yourself

Side by side

What each side leads with and what it leaves out. Open a side to read its headlines.

From the left

10 outlets

Leads with

  • high turnout
  • referendum on Netanyahu
  • unclear outcome
See the 10 headlines from the leftHide the headlines

From the center

9 outlets

Leads with

  • turnout figures
  • how the election works
  • coalition arithmetic
See the 10 headlines from the centerHide the headlines

From the right

10 outlets · 1 opinion

Leads with

  • Netanyahu's record
  • October 7 attacks
  • whether he deserves to lead
See the 11 headlines from the rightHide the headlines

The stories you read build My Mix, a private picture of which sides cover the stories you choose, kept on this device. What is My Mix?

The left is Far Left and Left together. The right is Right and Far Right together. Every outlet keeps its own five-point rating.

Who reported it when

How the coverage built up

  • Left

    1 day 10 hr later

    Its first report, Oct 23, 4:00 PM EDT

  • Center

    First to report

    BBC News, Oct 22, 5:27 AM EDT

  • Right

    4 days later

    Its first report, Oct 26, 5:30 AM EDT

See the order the outlets reported inHide the order
  1. BBC NewsCenterOct 22, 5:27 AM EDT
  2. BloombergLeftOct 23, 4:00 PM EDT
  3. Al Jazeera EnglishLeftOct 25, 3:10 AM EDT
  4. The New York TimesLeftOct 25, 5:01 AM EDT
  5. CBS NewsLeftOct 25, 9:25 AM EDT
  6. NPRLeftOct 25, 12:00 PM EDT
  7. New York PostRightOct 26, 5:30 AM EDT
  8. CNBCCenterOct 26, 5:46 AM EDT
  9. NBC NewsLeftOct 26, 7:10 AM EDT
  10. SemaforCenterOct 26, 7:11 AM EDT
  11. France 24CenterOct 26, 7:40 AM EDT
  12. The Daily WireFar RightOct 26, 8:05 AM EDT
  13. Straight Arrow NewsCenterOct 26, 1:21 PM EDT
  14. Washington ExaminerRightOct 26, 3:30 PM EDT
  15. HuffPostFar LeftOct 26, 4:22 PM EDT
  16. PBS NewsHourCenterOct 26, 6:45 PM EDT
  17. Financial TimesCenterOct 27, 1:00 AM EDT
  18. The GuardianLeftOct 27, 1:23 AM EDT
  19. Deutsche WelleCenterOct 27, 1:59 AM EDT
  20. Fox NewsFar RightOct 27, 4:00 AM EDT
  21. TIMELeftOct 27, 5:05 AM EDT
  22. CBN NewsFar RightOct 27, 8:59 AM EDT
  23. ReasonRightOct 27, 9:30 AM EDT
  24. The Washington TimesRightOct 27, 11:27 AM EDT
  25. Breitbart NewsFar RightOct 27, 11:30 AM EDT
  26. The HillCenterOct 27, 11:55 AM EDT
  27. The Western JournalFar RightOct 27, 2:47 PM EDT
  28. VoxFar LeftOct 27, 4:00 PM EDT

Times are the ones the outlets published in their own feeds, in Eastern time. Opinion is left out. Just the News gave only a date, so it is not placed.

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