Israelis went to the polls on Tuesday in the country’s second national election in five months.
Prime Minister Netanyahu failed to form a governing coalition in an April vote. But the results of this latest election are equally uncertain.
Netanyahu, the leader of Israel’s ruling Likud party, and his chief rival, Benny Gantz, head of the centrist Blue and White Party, have been locked in a tight race. Both leaders are already seeking the support of smaller parties in an effort to gain a ruling majority in parliament.
CGTN’s Stephanie Freid reports from Tel Aviv.
Follow Stephanie Freid on Twitter @SFreid
To discuss all of this:
- Akiva Bigman writes for the daily newspaper Israel Hayom.
- Omar Baddar is the deputy director of the Arab American Institute.
- Amotz Asa-El is the senior commentator for the Jerusalem Post.
- Mitchell Barak is an Israeli pollster and political analyst.
For more:
Avigdor Lieberman took the political gamble of his life when he spurned his mentor, Benjamin Netanyahu, and forced an unprecedented repeat election in Israel. Initial results show it appears to have paid off, putting him in a kingmaker position. https://t.co/2wKbYsrd4G
— The Associated Press (@AP) September 18, 2019
Opinion: Is this the moment when Israel’s democracy begins to heal itself? https://t.co/2K2HK5gnrn
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) September 18, 2019
Israel's closely-fought elections ended on Tuesday night, with exit polls showing a virtual tie between the Likud party, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and the Blue and White party, led by former army chief Benny Gantz. #WorldNewshttps://t.co/u7EUMKzPPy pic.twitter.com/7gsP2LD1Y2
— CCTV (@CCTV) September 18, 2019