Cartooning the 2026 Election Results

Created by Matt Reingold

Following Israel's October 2026 election, Israeli political cartoonists responded to the results with a range of emotions, opinions, and interpretations. Some expressed celebration or disappointment, while others questioned what the results meant for Israel's political future. The challenges of forming a governing coalition also became a subject of political satire.

In this lesson, students explore Israeli political cartoons as a window into diverse perspectives within Israeli society. Through a guided introduction, gallery walk, and class discussion, students examine how different cartoonists interpret the same political events and consider the challenge of forming a government following an election. The emphasis is on understanding Israeli perspectives, not deciding which position is correct or asking students to select a political side.

Lesson Goals:

1. Identify and describe different Israeli reactions to the election results and recognize contrasting interpretations of the same event.
2. Recognize how cartoons can reflect broader disagreements about Israeli leadership, society, and the future.
3. Interpret political cartoons through visual symbols, exaggeration, humor, and other techniques.
4. Explain why Israel's election results make forming a governing coalition difficult and identify different perspectives on how those challenges might be resolved.