Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to hold a lead early Wednesday in Israeli elections, exit polls report, potentially paving the way for a return to power thanks to a boost from an extreme ally known for inflammatory anti-Arab comments.
A political party needs to win at least 60 seats to break the political deadlock in parliament as Israelis head to the polls.JERUSALEM — Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to hold a narrow lead early Wednesday in Israeli elections, according to exit polls, potentially paving the way for a return to power thanks to a boost from an extreme right-wing ally known for inflammatory anti-Arab comments.
The vote, like past elections, was tight. The exit polls on Israel's three major television stations all predicted that Netanyahu and his hard-line allies would capture 61 or 62 seats in parliament, giving him the majority in the 120-seat parliament needed to govern. If Netanyahu's allies emerge victorious, it could still take weeks of negotiations for a coalition government to be formed. Continued deadlock and a new round of elections are also a possibility.
Netanyahu later said he was"asking for total electoral purity because that's the basis of democracy." But the coalition that Lapid cobbled together, which included the first Arab party ever to join a government, was ravaged by infighting and collapsed after just one year in power.Lapid, addressing supporters early Wednesday, insisted that the race was not decided.The night's strongest showing was by far-right lawmaker Itamar Ben-Gvir's Religious Zionism, which emerged as the third-largest party.
But while Kahane was seen as a pariah, Ben-Gvir is one of Israel's most popular politicians, thanks to his frequent media appearances, cheerful demeanor, knack for deflecting criticism and calls for a harder line against Palestinians at a time of heavy fighting in the occupied West Bank. Young ultra-Orthodox men are among his strongest supporters.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Israel Prime Minister Yair Lapid congratulates Benjamin Netanyahu on election victory | CNNIsraeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid called Benjamin Netanyahu to congratulate him on winning Israel's elections, the prime minister's office announced Thursday, just under 48 hours after polls closed.
Read more »
Netanyahu Set to Return as Israel’s Prime Minister 16 Months After Being OustedResults from Tuesday’s election show Netanyahu and his party's far-right allies won 64 seats in the Knesset, enough votes to form a parliamentary majority.
Read more »
Israelis go to the polls as Netanyahu tries to stage a comebackIn the fifth election in 3 1/2 years, former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has partnered with fringe elements of Israel's far right to try to unseat centrist Prime Minister Yair Lapid.
Read more »
Israelis go to the polls as Netanyahu tries to stage a comebackIsraelis are heading to the polls for their 5th election in 3.5 years. Netanyahu is trying to stage a comeback — and he's partnering with some of the most fringe elements of Israel's far right to do it.
Read more »