Polls opened in Israel including in the occupied West Bank for the fourth time in two years as Prime Minister Benjamin&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thousands-rally-at-anti-netanyahu-protest-ahead-of-election-372013">Netanyahu's</a> Likud party clashes against&nbsp;a new challenger Yair Lapid-led centre-left party Yesh Atid&nbsp;(There is a Future) party.

Watch:

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Netanyahu, 71, who battled corruption allegations, has ruled over Israel as prime minister for an unprecedented 12 consecutive years. However, he was&nbsp;unable to unite a stable coalition.

The Israeli prime minister has been fighting the new election under the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-vaccination-nation-israel-vote-for-prime-minister-netanyahu-372358">"Vaccination Nation"</a> slogan as the country has moved at breakneck speed to ensure <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-bahrain-leaders-discuss-vaccine-plant-netanyahu-visit-to-gulf-state-366232">COVID-19 </a>vaccination for all its citizen.&nbsp;

The Likud party needs a 61-seat parliamentary majority in the 120-member Knesset with 6.5 million registered voters set to deliver a result.&nbsp;

Yair Lapid, 57, an ex-finance minister and TV host who leads the Yesh Atid party, is widely expected to do well against Gantz as the strongest force in the anti-Netanyahu camp. Also in the race are Naftali Bennett, 48, belonging to the Yamina party and Gideon Saar, 54, who heads&nbsp;the New Hope party.

Gantz's Blue and White party,&nbsp;which had failed to hold its coalition partnership with Netanyahu, has seen his popularity plunge as he failed to hold the government together.

The results of the crucial polls are set to trickle in overnight from Tuesday, with final results expected around Friday.&nbsp;

Polls opened in Israel including in the occupied West Bank for the fourth time in two years as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party clashes against a new challenger Yair Lapid-led centre-left party Yesh Atid (There is a Future) party.

Polls opened in Israel including in the occupied West Bank for the fourth time in two years as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party clashes against a new challenger Yair Lapid-led centre-left party Yesh Atid (There is a Future) party. Watch: Netanyahu, 71, who battled corruption allegations, has ruled over Israel as prime minister for an unprecedented 12 consecutive years. However, he was unable to unite a stable coalition. The Israeli prime minister has been fighting the new election under the "Vaccination Nation" slogan as the country has moved at breakneck speed to ensure COVID-19 vaccination for all its citizen. The Likud party needs a 61-seat parliamentary majority in the 120-member Knesset with 6.5 million registered voters set to deliver a result. Yair Lapid, 57, an ex-finance minister and TV host who leads the Yesh Atid party, is widely expected to do well against Gantz as the strongest force in the anti-Netanyahu camp. Also in the race are Naftali Bennett, 48, belonging to the Yamina party and Gideon Saar, 54, who heads the New Hope party. Gantz's Blue and White party, which had failed to hold its coalition partnership with Netanyahu, has seen his popularity plunge as he failed to hold the government together. The results of the crucial polls are set to trickle in overnight from Tuesday, with final results expected around Friday.

Polls open in Israel as contenders seek to topple PM Netanyahu

Israel Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi left Blue and White party on Wednesday. This is the latest high profile&nbsp;defection from the bloc led by Defence Minister Benny Gantz. The party ran neck-to-neck with Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu's right wing Likud party during three inconclusive elections held between April 2019 and March 2020. The party however has seen dissent ever since Benny Gantz agreed to form coalition government with Netanyahu earlier this year.

Ashkenazi, like Gantz a former army chief, had been Gantz's top ally in the coalition that collapsed last week after failing to pass a budget, amid bitter acrimony between Blue and White and Likud.&nbsp;

New elections have been set for March 23, Israel's fourth vote in just under two years.&nbsp;

Despite Blue and White's cratering poll numbers, Gantz announced Tuesday that he intended to lead the party in the upcoming vote, vowing to be player in the anti-Netanyahu bloc.&nbsp; 
On Wednesday, Ashkenazi tweeted that he did "not intend to contest in the next election with Blue and White."

"I will take a break to consider the path ahead," he said.&nbsp;

Gantz said in a statement that he respected Ashkenazi's decision to leave the party and expressed his "heartfelt gratitude for these past two years of partnership for the good of our country."

A Blue and White spokesperson told AFP that Gantz had not asked Ashkenazi to resign from the foreign ministry.

That marks a departure compared to Gantz's response to the defection of outgoing justice minister Avi Nissenkorn.&nbsp;

Nissenkorn bolted from Blue and White to join a new centrist party formed by veteran Tel Aviv mayor Ron Huldai, called The Israelis.&nbsp;

Gantz asked Nissenkorn to resign from the justice ministry on Tuesday on grounds that Nissenkorn had "chosen his new political home." 
Recent polls indicate Blue and White will win just handful of seats in the March vote.

(With AFP inputs)

Israel Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi left Blue and White party on Wednesday. This is the latest high profile defection from the bloc led by Defence Minister Benny Gantz.

Israel Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi left Blue and White party on Wednesday. This is the latest high profile defection from the bloc led by Defence Minister Benny Gantz. The party ran neck-to-neck with Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu's right wing Likud party during three inconclusive elections held between April 2019 and March 2020. The party however has seen dissent ever since Benny Gantz agreed to form coalition government with Netanyahu earlier this year. Ashkenazi, like Gantz a former army chief, had been Gantz's top ally in the coalition that collapsed last week after failing to pass a budget, amid bitter acrimony between Blue and White and Likud. New elections have been set for March 23, Israel's fourth vote in just under two years. Despite Blue and White's cratering poll numbers, Gantz announced Tuesday that he intended to lead the party in the upcoming vote, vowing to be player in the anti-Netanyahu bloc. On Wednesday, Ashkenazi tweeted that he did "not intend to contest in the next election with Blue and White." "I will take a break to consider the path ahead," he said. Gantz said in a statement that he respected Ashkenazi's decision to leave the party and expressed his "heartfelt gratitude for these past two years of partnership for the good of our country." A Blue and White spokesperson told AFP that Gantz had not asked Ashkenazi to resign from the foreign ministry. That marks a departure compared to Gantz's response to the defection of outgoing justice minister Avi Nissenkorn. Nissenkorn bolted from Blue and White to join a new centrist party formed by veteran Tel Aviv mayor Ron Huldai, called The Israelis. Gantz asked Nissenkorn to resign from the justice ministry on Tuesday on grounds that Nissenkorn had "chosen his new political home." Recent polls indicate Blue and White will win just handful of seats in the March vote. (With AFP inputs)

Israel Foreign Minister Ashkenazi quits Gantz's Blue and White Party

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu led the third election in a year but still fell short of a majority to form the government, nearly complete results showed.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu led the third election in a year but still fell short of a majority to form the government, nearly complete results showed. Netanyahu claimed victory in Monday's vote over his main challenger Benny Gantz of the centrist Blue and White party, after exit polls projected the right-wing leader's Likud party had come out on top. "We turned lemons into lemonade," he told a cheering crowd at Likud's election headquarters as exit polls were released. However, Gantz did not concede defeat, saying the election could result in another deadlock and he understood and shared his supporters' "feeling of disappointment and pain". With some 90 per cent of the votes counted, Netanyahu appeared to control 59 seats in parliament, two short of a ruling majority. The gap made former defence minister Avigdor Lieberman's far-right Yisrael Beiteinu party a potential kingmaker after remaining on the sidelines in inconclusive ballots in April and September, the report added. A win for Netanyahu, 70, would be a testament to the political durability of Israel's longest-serving leader, who fought the latest campaign under the shadow of a looming corruption trial. (With inputs from Reuters)

Netanyahu leads in Israeli election, but still lacks majority to form government

Israel is staring at a third general election this year after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/deadlocked-israel-faces-repeat-vote-with-deadline-nearing-267198">Benjamin Netanyahu </a>and his rival Benny Gantz failed to reach an agreement over a coalition government

The parliament needs to reach a deal to avert a new election before 11:59 pm (2159 GMT), however, it looks unlikely any breakthrough will occur in a short span over the deadlocked September elections.

Netanyahu and Gantz have engaged in months of negotiations over a potential unity government but have repeatedly disagreed on who should lead it. PM Netanyahu, 70, faced with corruption charges has refused to budge even as &nbsp;Gantz called on him to step down last month. Under Israeli law Netanyahu, the country's longest-serving prime minister can remain in office despite an indictment.

"After 80 days, it's time that for one day, for the citizens of Israel, we sit and have a serious discussion about forming a broad unity government. It's not too late," Gantz said.

Amid the uncertainty, Israelies are now looking at voting for the third time after April and September after Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party nor the centrist Blue and White party led by his main rival, former military chief Benny Gantz, won enough seats in the Knesset.

"People think that acts of corruption can be forgiven because of one political circumstance or another," Gantz said at a press conference while taking a dig at PM Netanyahu, adding, "the support of the people who want to protect the prime minister causes them to be blind."

Netanyahu and Gantz were given 28-day period after the September election to negotiate a coalition under Israel's proportional political system, however, it failed to materialise with both men sticking to their position.

A party needs to get the support of more than half of the 120-seat Knesset to form the government.

Israel is staring at a third general election this year after Benjamin Netanyahu and his rival Benny Gantz failed to reach an agreement over a coalition government The parliament needs to reach a deal to avert a new election before 11:59 pm (2159 GMT), however, it looks unlikely any breakthrough will occur in a short span over the deadlocked September elections.

Israel is staring at a third general election this year after Benjamin Netanyahu and his rival Benny Gantz failed to reach an agreement over a coalition government The parliament needs to reach a deal to avert a new election before 11:59 pm (2159 GMT), however, it looks unlikely any breakthrough will occur in a short span over the deadlocked September elections. Netanyahu and Gantz have engaged in months of negotiations over a potential unity government but have repeatedly disagreed on who should lead it. PM Netanyahu, 70, faced with corruption charges has refused to budge even as Gantz called on him to step down last month. Under Israeli law Netanyahu, the country's longest-serving prime minister can remain in office despite an indictment. "After 80 days, it's time that for one day, for the citizens of Israel, we sit and have a serious discussion about forming a broad unity government. It's not too late," Gantz said. Amid the uncertainty, Israelies are now looking at voting for the third time after April and September after Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party nor the centrist Blue and White party led by his main rival, former military chief Benny Gantz, won enough seats in the Knesset. "People think that acts of corruption can be forgiven because of one political circumstance or another," Gantz said at a press conference while taking a dig at PM Netanyahu, adding, "the support of the people who want to protect the prime minister causes them to be blind." Netanyahu and Gantz were given 28-day period after the September election to negotiate a coalition under Israel's proportional political system, however, it failed to materialise with both men sticking to their position. A party needs to get the support of more than half of the 120-seat Knesset to form the government.

Israel stares at third election after Benjamin Netanyahu, Benny Gantz fail to reach agreement

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his main challenger Benny Gantz were <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/route-to-61-forming-a-coalition-after-israels-election-250385">deadlocked </a>Wednesday after a general election, Israeli media reported, raising the possibility of a unity government or even the end of the premier's long rule.

Various Israeli outlets reported that Netanyahu's right-wing Likud had 31 seats, while Gantz's Blue and White took 32 out of a total 120 seats.

But with more than 90 per cent of the vote counted, Gantz's slim lead gave no obvious path for either party to form a majority coalition, raising the possibility of negotiations towards a unity government.

The reports were citing elections committee sources, as that level of results had not been officially posted yet.

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If the results hold, it will be a major setback for Netanyahu, who hoped to form a right-wing coalition similar to his current one as he faces the possibility of corruption charges in the weeks ahead.

With a hoarse voice and appearing haggard after days of intense campaigning, Netanyahu spoke before supporters in the early hours of Wednesday and said he was prepared for negotiations to form a "strong Zionist government."

He seemed to hint at openness to forming a national unity government but did not specifically say so.

Gantz, addressing supporters in Tel Aviv, called for a "broad unity government" but cautioned that he was waiting for final results.

"We will act to form a broad unity government that will express the will of the people," the former armed forces chief said.

"We will begin negotiations and I will speak with everyone."

On Wednesday morning when journalists approached him as he headed out for a run, Gantz said, "we'll wait for the final results ... and wish Israel a good unity government."

Netanyahu was due to address members of his party later Wednesday.

Arab turnout

Ex-defence minister Avigdor Lieberman could prove to be kingmaker, with the reported results giving his secular-nationalist party Yisrael Beitenu nine seats.

The mainly Arab Joint List alliance was set to become the third-largest bloc in parliament with 13 seats, the reports said.

That could allow Arab parties to block Netanyahu from continuing as prime minister if they decide to break with precedent and endorse Gantz for the job.

Israel's Arab parties have traditionally not endorsed anyone for prime minister.

"The main difference in this vote is the turnout among Arab citizens," Joint List leader Ayman Odeh told journalists outside his home in the northern city of Haifa on Wednesday.

"There's no doubt that this is what made the difference. Without that, Netanyahu would already be prime minister."

After exit polls were released on Tuesday night, Lieberman called for a unity government formed of his party, Likud and Blue and White, saying the country was facing an "emergency."

The election was the second in five months for Israel, and President Reuven Rivlin, who must choose someone to form the next government, said there was a "need to avoid a third".

Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving prime minister, suffered one of the biggest defeats of his political career after the previous elections in April.

His Likud along with its right-wing and religious allies won a majority, but he failed to form a coalition and opted for a second election rather than risk having Rivlin choose someone else to try.

'Normal again'

The stakes could not be much higher for 69-year-old Netanyahu, who many believe will seek immunity from prosecution should he survive as prime minister.

He spent election day warning he was on the verge of losing if his supporters did not turn out to vote, including in appearances at Jerusalem's main market and its central bus station, wielding a megaphone to exhort crowds to vote.

He repeatedly warned as he has in previous elections, that left-wing and Arab voters were showing up in large numbers to oust him.

A campaign by Lieberman to "make Israel normal again" appeared to have resonated.

The staunch secularist has long campaigned against what he sees as the undue clout of ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties, which he accuses of seeking to impose Jewish religious law on Israel's secular population.

Lieberman has demanded legislation to make military service mandatory for the ultra-Orthodox as for other Jewish Israelis -- a demand he refused to drop after April polls, eventually blocking Netanyahu's efforts to form a coalition.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his main challenger Benny Gantz were deadlocked Wednesday after a general election, Israeli media reported, raising the possibility of a unity government or even the end of the premier's long rule.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his main challenger Benny Gantz were deadlocked Wednesday after a general election, Israeli media reported, raising the possibility of a unity government or even the end of the premier's long rule. Various Israeli outlets reported that Netanyahu's right-wing Likud had 31 seats, while Gantz's Blue and White took 32 out of a total 120 seats. But with more than 90 per cent of the vote counted, Gantz's slim lead gave no obvious path for either party to form a majority coalition, raising the possibility of negotiations towards a unity government. The reports were citing elections committee sources, as that level of results had not been officially posted yet. Watch: × If the results hold, it will be a major setback for Netanyahu, who hoped to form a right-wing coalition similar to his current one as he faces the possibility of corruption charges in the weeks ahead. With a hoarse voice and appearing haggard after days of intense campaigning, Netanyahu spoke before supporters in the early hours of Wednesday and said he was prepared for negotiations to form a "strong Zionist government." He seemed to hint at openness to forming a national unity government but did not specifically say so. Gantz, addressing supporters in Tel Aviv, called for a "broad unity government" but cautioned that he was waiting for final results. "We will act to form a broad unity government that will express the will of the people," the former armed forces chief said. "We will begin negotiations and I will speak with everyone." On Wednesday morning when journalists approached him as he headed out for a run, Gantz said, "we'll wait for the final results ... and wish Israel a good unity government." Netanyahu was due to address members of his party later Wednesday. Arab turnout Ex-defence minister Avigdor Lieberman could prove to be kingmaker, with the reported results giving his secular-nationalist party Yisrael Beitenu nine seats. The mainly Arab Joint List alliance was set to become the third-largest bloc in parliament with 13 seats, the reports said. That could allow Arab parties to block Netanyahu from continuing as prime minister if they decide to break with precedent and endorse Gantz for the job. Israel's Arab parties have traditionally not endorsed anyone for prime minister. "The main difference in this vote is the turnout among Arab citizens," Joint List leader Ayman Odeh told journalists outside his home in the northern city of Haifa on Wednesday. "There's no doubt that this is what made the difference. Without that, Netanyahu would already be prime minister." After exit polls were released on Tuesday night, Lieberman called for a unity government formed of his party, Likud and Blue and White, saying the country was facing an "emergency." The election was the second in five months for Israel, and President Reuven Rivlin, who must choose someone to form the next government, said there was a "need to avoid a third". Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving prime minister, suffered one of the biggest defeats of his political career after the previous elections in April. His Likud along with its right-wing and religious allies won a majority, but he failed to form a coalition and opted for a second election rather than risk having Rivlin choose someone else to try. 'Normal again' The stakes could not be much higher for 69-year-old Netanyahu, who many believe will seek immunity from prosecution should he survive as prime minister. He spent election day warning he was on the verge of losing if his supporters did not turn out to vote, including in appearances at Jerusalem's main market and its central bus station, wielding a megaphone to exhort crowds to vote. He repeatedly warned as he has in previous elections, that left-wing and Arab voters were showing up in large numbers to oust him. A campaign by Lieberman to "make Israel normal again" appeared to have resonated. The staunch secularist has long campaigned against what he sees as the undue clout of ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties, which he accuses of seeking to impose Jewish religious law on Israel's secular population. Lieberman has demanded legislation to make military service mandatory for the ultra-Orthodox as for other Jewish Israelis -- a demand he refused to drop after April polls, eventually blocking Netanyahu's efforts to form a coalition.

Israel polls: Netanyahu, Gantz in deadlock as unity government looms

Israel elections: Benjamin Netanyahu's agenda and settlement issue

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said "It is a night of colossal victory," early on April 10 after updated exit polls of the country's national elections on April 9 showed Netanyahu's Likud winning more parliamentary seats than his main challenger Benny Gantz's centrist Blue and White Party. One of three surveys put Blue and White a seat ahead of Likud.

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