Israeli Elections
“This is not the result that will put Israel back on the right path,” says Blue and White leader Benny Gantz after release of exit polls • Labor head Amir Peretz blames Gantz’s “irresponsible campaign” for “damaging the left-wing bloc.”
Israeli election results will “force the people of the region to live by the sword,” says top Palestinian official Saeb Erekat • Joint List’s Ahmad Tibi calls Netanyahu win a “dark day for the country.”
“This was a great victory for the right-wing camp, and first and foremost for us Likudnikim,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the third round of elections within the course of a year.
They point to a larger than expected voter turnout, reaching the highest mark since 1999, despite concerns that the coronavirus and election fatigue would keep voters home.
A fourth election, a right-wing-bloc victory, a minority government or Likud rebellion against Benjamin Netanyahu ... some of the possible scenarios as Israelis head to the polls yet again.
Speaking with public radio, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his first “major, immediate mission” if he wins the March 2 election would be to “declare sovereignty over areas of the homeland.”
Poll projects ruling party and its challenger will secure 33 Knesset seats each, gives right-haredim bloc 57 seats, center-left and Arab parties 56 mandates. Some 49 percent believe that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is best-suited to continue to lead Israel.
The Israeli prime minister has tried to convince Otzma Yehudit leader Itamar Ben-Gvir to drop out of the race, as the potential loss of votes if the party doesn’t cross the 3.25 percent electoral threshold could be enough to swing a close contest in favor of Blue and White.
In a special interview, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks about navigating the complex political Israeli reality, the seemingly never-ending election year, the security challenges the country faces and his legal woes.
As election looms, Blue and White leader Benny Gantz slams the door on a future unity deal, charging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of committing a “hate crime against democracy.”
“We will have 61 seats without [Benjamin] Netanyahu” and the ultra-Orthodox parties, says Yisrael Beiteinu head Avigdor Lieberman.
Days before the election, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warns regional council heads that a government under Benny Gantz would depend on the Joint List and “endanger Israel’s security.”
