Israelis vote as Netanyahu seeks return to power
Israelis were voting yesterday in their fifth election in less than four years, with former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu campaigning for a comeback with help from the rising extreme-right.
The election follows the collapse of the so-called "change" coalition, which united eight disparate parties who succeeded in ousting Netanyahu last year after a record run as prime minister, but ultimately failed to achieve political stability.
"I hope we will finish the day with a smile, but it's up to the people," Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption and breach of trust, said after voting.
Caretaker Prime Minister Yair Lapid, whose centrist Yesh Atid party may place second behind Netanyahu's right-wing Likud, urged people to vote "for the future of our country".
In a political system where a shift in just one of the 120 Knesset seats up for grabs could cement a ruling coalition -- or lead to further deadlock and possible new elections -- the outcome remains uncertain once more.
Polls close at 10:00 pm (2000 GMT), when Israeli networks will give their first results projections.
Whoever is tapped to form a government will need support from multiple smaller parties to clinch a 61-seat majority.
Extreme-right leader Itamar Ben-Gvir may be key to helping Netanyahu return to power, as his Religious Zionism bloc has gained momentum in recent weeks and could come third in the election.
Ben-Gvir, who wants Israel to annex the entire West Bank, promised a "full right-wing government" led by Netanyahu, after voting near his settlement home.
Justice Minister Gideon Saar, a former Likud heavyweight who broke with Netanyahu and now leads his own party, warned Israel risked electing a "coalition of extremists".
Comments