Updated

With Israel's election set for October 27, political tensions are running high: Netanyahu briefed opposition leaders about an alleged attack plot by "enemies," prompting Yair Lapid to dismiss the warning as unnecessary panic and to demand Netanyahu draft 15,000 Haredim if he is genuinely worried about security. Thousands marched in Jerusalem to celebrate Haredi draft dodgers, drawing condemnation from opposition figures, while Shin Bet declined to provide a security detail for opposition figure Gadi Eisenkot despite earlier reports to the contrary, and the Democrats party petitioned Israel's High Court for protection for party chief Yair Golan citing death threats. Adding to the volatility, two Haredi UTJ lawmakers are reportedly considering abstaining to allow an Eisenkot-led minority government to form, reflecting anger at Netanyahu's failure to pass a draft-dodging law. Commentators describe Israel's political landscape as deeply polarized, with neither bloc having a clear path to victory just weeks before what may be the country's most consequential election in years.