Israel’s Knesset. Credit: Wikimedia Commons.

Israel Elections 2019

Complete guide to Israeli elections 2019, with news on Israeli political parties including Likud, Jewish Home, Zionist Union, Kulanu, Yesh Atid, Yisrael Beiteynu, Meretz, Joint Arab List; and politicians including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other party leaders.
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WATCH: JNS 2019 Israeli Elections 2.0 Video Broadcast
JNSSeptember 17, 2019
Join JNS for a live Israel Elections 2019 broadcast on Tuesday, Sept. 17.
Featured ColumnThe Netanyahu era’s last chapter begins
Jonathan S. Tobin
newsNetanyahu’s pre-election promise to annex parts of Judea and Samaria create new reality
Israel Kasnett
newsThe Israeli and American left are ‘criminalizing politics’
Alex Traiman
Featured column
Jonathan S. TobinSeptember 18, 2019
The Netanyahu era’s last chapter begins
Another election deadlock may not be the prime minister’s political obituary, but Israeli politics have shifted to the point where the end of his reign is now in sight.
brief
With 90% of vote officially counted, Blue and White leads Likud 32-31
September 18, 2019
According to results published by Israel's Central Election Committee, the Joint Arab List has 13 seats, while Yisrael Beitienu stands at 9.
Election campaign posters in Tel Aviv depict Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, head of the Likud Party, as well as leaders of the Blue and White Party, including Benny Gantz, second from left, Sept. 2019. Photo by Adam Shuldman/Flash90.
news
Netanyahu calls for ‘strong Zionist government’ in post-election speech
September 17, 2019
“We’re still waiting for the results. But one thing is clear, the State of Israel is at a historic turning point. We are facing immense opportunities, and immense challenges, including the existential threat from Iran,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at Likud Party headquarters on elections night in Tel Aviv, on Sept. 18, 2019. Photo by Miriam Alster/Flash90.
news
In post-election speech, Gantz affirms ‘no’ to incitement and division, and ‘yes’ to unity
Yaakov LappinSeptember 17, 2019
As senior Blue and White Party member Zvi Hauser told JNS: “There are 200,000 projectiles in the north; war almost erupted in Gaza, there is a 50 billion shekel deficit. There’s no choice but a unity government.”
Blue and White Party chairman Benny Gantz at the Blue and White headquarters on elections night in Tel Aviv, on September 18, 2019. Photo by Hadas Parush/Flash90
brief
Lieberman urges unity government after his party receives boost in exit polls
September 17, 2019
With exit polls showing Likud, and Blue and White, facing no clear path to a governing majority, many see Yisrael Beiteinu Party leader Avigdor Lieberman as a potential “kingmaker”—key to avoiding a third election.
Yisrael Beiteinu Party leader Avigdor Lieberman speaks to press while touring the Sarona Market in Tel Aviv during the second round of Israeli elections on Sept. 17, 2019. Photo by Miriam Alster/Flash90.
brief
Exit polls show Likud, Blue and White in close fight for lead, running neck and neck
September 17, 2019
Overall, the biggest theme of the exit polls is that neither the right-wing/religious bloc nor the center-left bloc have enough seats to form a governing coalition at 61 without the support of former Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, head of the Yisrael Beiteinu Party.
Benny Gantz, head of Blue and White Party (left) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, head of the Likud Party. Credit: Gili Yaari /Flash90 and Noam Revkin Fenton/Flash90.
news
Blue and White’s focus shifts to unity government option after exit polls
Yaakov LappinSeptember 17, 2019
Responding to the exit polls, Blue and White Knesset Member and former Tel Aviv deputy mayor Asaf Zamir told JNS, "We are cautious and we have learned from the past, we are waiting for real results. But if these are the indications of the trend, Bibi Netanyahu failed, for the second time."
Blue and White party chairman Benny Gantz casts his ballot at a voting station in Rosh HaAyin, during the Knesset Elections, on September 17, 2019. Photo by Noam Revkin Fenton/Flash90
link
WATCH: JNS 2019 Israeli Elections 2.0 Video Broadcast
September 17, 2019
Join JNS for a live Israel Elections 2019 broadcast on Tuesday, Sept. 17.
news
Netanyahu’s pre-election promise to annex parts of Judea and Samaria create new reality
Israel KasnettSeptember 16, 2019
His announcement drew the expected condemnations from the left; on the right, some criticized the Israeli prime minister for waiting until now to implement this move.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a statement to the press regarding implementing Israeli sovereignty over the Jordan Valley and it's Jewish settlements on Sept. 10, 2019. Credit: Hadas Parush/Flash90.
news
The Israeli and American left are ‘criminalizing politics’
Alex TraimanSeptember 16, 2019
So says Mark Levin, author of “Unfreedom of the Press,” on the cusp of the second round of national elections in the Jewish state.
Conservative radio and TV personality Mark Levin on Fox News. Credit: Screenshot.
Featured column
Jonathan S. TobinSeptember 16, 2019
The elections that decided the future of the conflict
Israeli voters won’t determine whether peace is possible. That happened when Abbas succeeded Arafat and subsequently refused to hold another vote.
brief
Attorney General allows right-wing ‘Gatekeepers’ to patrol Arab polls from afar
September 16, 2019
The initiative intends to combat alleged voter fraud in Arab towns by adding a “feeling of security” for workers at polling stations.
Israeli Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit at a ceremony at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem on Nov. 14, 2016. Photo by Flash90.
brief
Ultra-Orthodox rally in Jerusalem ahead of elections draws tens of thousands
September 16, 2019
The Sept. 17 election is a struggle “over our right to be ultra-Orthodox, to observe the commandments, to lead a life of Torah and faith,” says UTJ Party leader Yaakov Litzman.
Thousands of ultra-Orthodox supporters of the United Torah Judaism Party rally in Jerusalem, on Sept. 15, 2019. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90.
news
Final Israeli election polls slow Likud with slight edge over Blue and White
Mati TuchfeldIsrael HayomSeptember 13, 2019
Predictions run 33 seats for the Likud and 31 for Blue and White, but show that a left-wing coalition that includes the Arab parties would win 62 seats, ensuring the right would be shut out.
Benny Gantz, head of Blue and White Party (left) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, head of the Likud Party. Credit: Gili Yaari /Flash90 and Noam Revkin Fenton/Flash90.
news
With Jordan Valley announcement, Netanyahu seeks again to outmaneuver political opponents
Dov LipmanSeptember 11, 2019
Despite the fact that many Israelis view retaining the Jordan Valley as a consensus issue, the prime minister was criticized from the right and left over the timing of the move, right ahead of the Sept. 17 elections.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a statement to the press regarding implementing Israeli sovereignty over the Jordan Valley and its Jewish settlements on Sept. 10, 2019. Credit: Hadas Parush/Flash90.
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