Mr Netanyahu's rivals fear that if he remains prime minister he will push through legislation that would grant him immunity from prosecution while in office.

Israel PM Netanyahu's trial resumes over bribery & corruption case

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial is all set to resume. Netanyahu have arrived in the court to attend the statement of the trial.

Netanyahu Corruption Trial: Israeli PM to attend opening statement

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on right-wing parties on Wednesday to join him in a governing coalition, in his first speech since elections last week.

The vote, Israel's fourth in two years, delivered the veteran premier's Likud 30 seats in the 120-seat parliament, making it the biggest party -- but a majority of 61 is required to form a government.

Netanyahu, who is on trial on corruption charges, faces a bloc of 57 lawmakers led by centrist part Yesh Atid, who are seeking to end his record-breaking 12 years in power.&nbsp;

Both camps are short of an overall majority, and Netanyahu is reaching out to small, undeclared parties which could take his government over the line.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/netanyahu-to-rivals-come-back-home-align-with-me-374666">Watch |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/netanyahu-to-rivals-come-back-home-align-with-me-374666/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

In a brief televised address on Wednesday, Netanyahu insisted that "the people have given a majority to the right, with 65 seats" and urged undecided right-wing leaders to "come back home" and join a coalition.

"Let's put our differences aside to form, together, a stable government of the right, as the people want," he said.

The hard-right Yamina party of Naftali Bennett, with seven seats, could potentially join the six lawmakers of the New Hope party of Gideon Saar to help the premier form a majority.

Both Bennett and Saar are former Netanyahu allies.

Saar has repeatedly ruled out joining a Netanyahu administration, tweeting again on Wednesday that he would "neither join nor support a government led by Netanyahu".

Bennett has yet to say whether he would join a government led by his former boss.

Yamina said in a statement Wednesday that Bennett would "make every effort to form a stable government to save Israel from chaos".

Israel's President Reuven Rivlin said Monday he would pick a candidate by April 7 to form the next government.&nbsp;

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on right-wing parties on Wednesday to join him in a governing coalition, in his first speech since elections last week.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on right-wing parties on Wednesday to join him in a governing coalition, in his first speech since elections last week. The vote, Israel's fourth in two years, delivered the veteran premier's Likud 30 seats in the 120-seat parliament, making it the biggest party -- but a majority of 61 is required to form a government. Netanyahu, who is on trial on corruption charges, faces a bloc of 57 lawmakers led by centrist part Yesh Atid, who are seeking to end his record-breaking 12 years in power. Both camps are short of an overall majority, and Netanyahu is reaching out to small, undeclared parties which could take his government over the line. Watch | In a brief televised address on Wednesday, Netanyahu insisted that "the people have given a majority to the right, with 65 seats" and urged undecided right-wing leaders to "come back home" and join a coalition. "Let's put our differences aside to form, together, a stable government of the right, as the people want," he said. The hard-right Yamina party of Naftali Bennett, with seven seats, could potentially join the six lawmakers of the New Hope party of Gideon Saar to help the premier form a majority. Both Bennett and Saar are former Netanyahu allies. Saar has repeatedly ruled out joining a Netanyahu administration, tweeting again on Wednesday that he would "neither join nor support a government led by Netanyahu". Bennett has yet to say whether he would join a government led by his former boss. Yamina said in a statement Wednesday that Bennett would "make every effort to form a stable government to save Israel from chaos". Israel's President Reuven Rivlin said Monday he would pick a candidate by April 7 to form the next government.

Israel's Netanyahu urges right-wing parties to form coalition

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appealed to two right-wing rivals to "come back home" and align themselves with him again to break a deadlock following Israel's inconclusive election last week.

Netanyahu to rivals: Come back home, align with me

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on right-wing parties to join him in a governing coalition, in his first speech since elections last week.

Israel on Tuesday reopened the Taba border post with Egypt that had been closed throughout the pandemic, allowing limited numbers to cross to the Sinai peninsula for Passover holidays.&nbsp;

The move was the latest step towards normalcy for Israel, which has fully vaccinated more than half of its roughly 9.3 million residents against coronavirus, the world's fastest per capita pace.

The number of serious coronavirus cases, which stood at 800 at the end of last month, has fallen to 467, according to the health ministry.

Distribution of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine in&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;began in December, with eligibility extended to citizens and residents over the age of 16 - some 69 per cent&nbsp;of the 9.3 million population. People are deemed fully protected a week after receiving the second shot.

The Health Ministry said that 50.07 per cent&nbsp;of the overall population - or 72.5 per cent&nbsp;of the eligible population - had received both vaccine doses, while 55.96 per cent&nbsp;of the overall population have received the first dose.

From Tuesday through April 12, 300 Israelis will be allowed through Taba on the Red Sea each day.

To cross, individuals must be inoculated or have recovered from Covid-19. A negative laboratory test is also required in both directions.

Egypt's Sinai peninsula is a popular vacation spot for Israelis, especially during the Passover break which began over the weekend, but the pandemic has forced Taba's closure since March 2020.

Israel's successful vaccination rollout has been making gains against the virus.

Israel&nbsp;began easing a nationwide lockdown in late February. Most businesses and schools, as well as airports, have gradually resumed activity - with caps on capacity. The fully vaccinated, and then around 8.7 per cent&nbsp;of&nbsp;Israelis who have recovered from COVID-19 with presumed immunity, are issued with Health Ministry "Green Pass" certificates that confer access to various leisure venues.

Israel&nbsp;has seen an 85 per cent&nbsp;drop in daily COVID-19 deaths, a 72 per cent&nbsp;decrease in the critically ill and 86 per cent&nbsp;fewer daily cases since the pandemic's third peak in mid-January, according to data scientist Eran Segal of&nbsp;Israel's Weizmann Institute of Science.

Israel on Tuesday reopened the Taba border post with Egypt that had been closed throughout the pandemic, allowing limited numbers to cross to the Sinai peninsula for Passover holidays.

Israel on Tuesday reopened the Taba border post with Egypt that had been closed throughout the pandemic, allowing limited numbers to cross to the Sinai peninsula for Passover holidays. The move was the latest step towards normalcy for Israel, which has fully vaccinated more than half of its roughly 9.3 million residents against coronavirus, the world's fastest per capita pace. The number of serious coronavirus cases, which stood at 800 at the end of last month, has fallen to 467, according to the health ministry. Distribution of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine in Israel began in December, with eligibility extended to citizens and residents over the age of 16 - some 69 per cent of the 9.3 million population. People are deemed fully protected a week after receiving the second shot. The Health Ministry said that 50.07 per cent of the overall population - or 72.5 per cent of the eligible population - had received both vaccine doses, while 55.96 per cent of the overall population have received the first dose. From Tuesday through April 12, 300 Israelis will be allowed through Taba on the Red Sea each day. To cross, individuals must be inoculated or have recovered from Covid-19. A negative laboratory test is also required in both directions. Egypt's Sinai peninsula is a popular vacation spot for Israelis, especially during the Passover break which began over the weekend, but the pandemic has forced Taba's closure since March 2020. Israel's successful vaccination rollout has been making gains against the virus. Israel began easing a nationwide lockdown in late February. Most businesses and schools, as well as airports, have gradually resumed activity - with caps on capacity. The fully vaccinated, and then around 8.7 per cent of Israelis who have recovered from COVID-19 with presumed immunity, are issued with Health Ministry "Green Pass" certificates that confer access to various leisure venues. Israel has seen an 85 per cent drop in daily COVID-19 deaths, a 72 per cent decrease in the critically ill and 86 per cent fewer daily cases since the pandemic's third peak in mid-January, according to data scientist Eran Segal of Israel's Weizmann Institute of Science.

No 'red' cities in Israel for first time in five months

Israel's health ministry said on Thursday that over 50 per cent of its population of 9.2 million have received both doses of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">coronavirus vaccine</a>, a milestone that has continued to put the country much ahead of other nations in the vaccination drive.&nbsp;

The country's stellar fight to curb <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">Covid-19 </a>has also been rewarded in this week's general election in which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party won the most seats, but failed to get a majority.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-election-netanyahu-falls-short-of-majority-amid-vote-count-373093/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Health Minister Yuli Edelstein in a statement announced the milestone and a continuous drop in new cases and asked people "to follow (health) guidelines so that the coronavirus does not return".

Israel, which faced three lockdowns, has a Covid-19 death toll of 6,157 and the positivity rate on Thursday stood at 1.1 per cent, a drop of about 6 per cent a month ago.&nbsp;

As many as 482 patients were in serious condition as of Thursday compared to more than 800 in late February.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="http://wionews.com/world/israel-opts-for-drive-thru-voting-for-covid-positive-people-372507">Israel opts for drive-thru voting for COVID positive people</a>

Israel has faced a lot of international criticism for not sharing enough of Pfizer-BioNTech's coronavirus vaccine to Palestine, for which the Jewish country claims that Palestinians are responsible for such health measures.&nbsp;

Over 100,000 Palestinian workers with permits to enter Israel or Jewish areas in the West Bank have been inoculated by Israel.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Israel's health ministry said on Thursday that over 50 per cent of its population of 9.2 million have received both doses of the coronavirus vaccine, a milestone that has continued to put the country much ahead of other nations in the vaccination drive.

Israel's health ministry said on Thursday that over 50 per cent of its population of 9.2 million have received both doses of the coronavirus vaccine, a milestone that has continued to put the country much ahead of other nations in the vaccination drive. The country's stellar fight to curb Covid-19 has also been rewarded in this week's general election in which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party won the most seats, but failed to get a majority. Watch | Health Minister Yuli Edelstein in a statement announced the milestone and a continuous drop in new cases and asked people "to follow (health) guidelines so that the coronavirus does not return". Israel, which faced three lockdowns, has a Covid-19 death toll of 6,157 and the positivity rate on Thursday stood at 1.1 per cent, a drop of about 6 per cent a month ago. As many as 482 patients were in serious condition as of Thursday compared to more than 800 in late February. Also read | Israel opts for drive-thru voting for COVID positive people Israel has faced a lot of international criticism for not sharing enough of Pfizer-BioNTech's coronavirus vaccine to Palestine, for which the Jewish country claims that Palestinians are responsible for such health measures. Over 100,000 Palestinian workers with permits to enter Israel or Jewish areas in the West Bank have been inoculated by Israel.

Israel continues to march ahead in vaccination drive as over 50% of population inoculated

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s prospects for another term looked uncertain after partial results from a national election projected no clear path to victory.

Israel Election: Netanyahu falls short of majority amid vote count

In Israel, counting of votes is presently underway. In the fourth general election that has been held in the state of Israel in the last two years, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chances of retaining power remain uncertain for the fourth straight time.

Israel: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calls for 'stable government'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed victory following Israel's fourth election in less than two years. The country's longest serving premier, however, may again struggle to form a governing majority.

Projections based on exit polls from Israel's three leading broadcasters also have showed Netanyahu's right-wing Likud winning the most seats in Israel's 120-seat parliament, the Knesset.&nbsp;

Netanyahu had campaigned on a world-leading coronavirus vaccination effort that has already inoculated roughly half of Israel's roughly nine million people, a pace envied by much of the world.&nbsp;

He described Tuesday's projected results as a "huge win for the right" and his Likud party. "I will reach out to all elected officials who share our principles. I will not exclude anyone," he told supporters.&nbsp;

If the projections reflect the final results expected later this week, Likud could win 30 or 31 seats.&nbsp;Adding Likud's hawkish, religious allies, the pro-Netanyahu camp could control more than 50 seats.&nbsp;

But his only path to a viable right-wing coalition appears to rest on a deal with his estranged former protege Naftali Bennett, who has not ruled out joining a bloc opposed to the premier.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid, a former television anchor whose centrist Yesh Atid party looked set to place a second behind Likud, claimed the anti-Netanyahu bloc had a path to a majority.

Numbers were continuing to shift early Wednesday and it remained possible that Netanyahu would fall short of a majority even with Bennett's support.

Lapid said he has "started speaking to party leaders and we'll wait for the results but we'll do everything to create a sane government in Israel."

Even if Bennett's projected seven seats technically enable Netanyahu to cobble together a government, there is no guarantee the two will unite.

Netanyahu is the first Israeli prime minister to be indicted in office after being formally charged last year with corruption, an allegation he denies.

Netanyahu has said he will not block the trial and looks forward to being exonerated, but critics suspect that if he forms a majority, he may seek parliamentary action to delay or end the process.

A Netanyahu coalition will also require alignment with a new far-right extremist alliance called Religious Zionism, which is projected to win between six and seven seats.

That means the bloc will send to parliament Itamar Ben-Gvir, who has voiced admiration for the mass-murderer of 29 Palestinian worshippers in Hebron in 1994, Baruch Goldstein.

Tuesday's vote was forced on Israelis after Netanyahu triggered the collapse of a unity government he had formed last year with former military chief Benny Gantz, his main challenger in three&nbsp;previous, inconclusive elections.

Gantz is projected to win seven or eight seats in Tuesday's election, outperforming expectations but still a far fall from a year ago, when he was Netanyahu's main challenger.&nbsp;

(with inputs from agencies)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed victory following Israel's fourth election in less than two years. The country's longest serving premier, however, may again struggle to form a governing majority.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed victory following Israel's fourth election in less than two years. The country's longest serving premier, however, may again struggle to form a governing majority. Projections based on exit polls from Israel's three leading broadcasters also have showed Netanyahu's right-wing Likud winning the most seats in Israel's 120-seat parliament, the Knesset. Netanyahu had campaigned on a world-leading coronavirus vaccination effort that has already inoculated roughly half of Israel's roughly nine million people, a pace envied by much of the world. He described Tuesday's projected results as a "huge win for the right" and his Likud party. "I will reach out to all elected officials who share our principles. I will not exclude anyone," he told supporters. If the projections reflect the final results expected later this week, Likud could win 30 or 31 seats. Adding Likud's hawkish, religious allies, the pro-Netanyahu camp could control more than 50 seats. But his only path to a viable right-wing coalition appears to rest on a deal with his estranged former protege Naftali Bennett, who has not ruled out joining a bloc opposed to the premier. Opposition leader Yair Lapid, a former television anchor whose centrist Yesh Atid party looked set to place a second behind Likud, claimed the anti-Netanyahu bloc had a path to a majority. Numbers were continuing to shift early Wednesday and it remained possible that Netanyahu would fall short of a majority even with Bennett's support. Lapid said he has "started speaking to party leaders and we'll wait for the results but we'll do everything to create a sane government in Israel." Even if Bennett's projected seven seats technically enable Netanyahu to cobble together a government, there is no guarantee the two will unite. Netanyahu is the first Israeli prime minister to be indicted in office after being formally charged last year with corruption, an allegation he denies. Netanyahu has said he will not block the trial and looks forward to being exonerated, but critics suspect that if he forms a majority, he may seek parliamentary action to delay or end the process. A Netanyahu coalition will also require alignment with a new far-right extremist alliance called Religious Zionism, which is projected to win between six and seven seats. That means the bloc will send to parliament Itamar Ben-Gvir, who has voiced admiration for the mass-murderer of 29 Palestinian worshippers in Hebron in 1994, Baruch Goldstein. Tuesday's vote was forced on Israelis after Netanyahu triggered the collapse of a unity government he had formed last year with former military chief Benny Gantz, his main challenger in three previous, inconclusive elections. Gantz is projected to win seven or eight seats in Tuesday's election, outperforming expectations but still a far fall from a year ago, when he was Netanyahu's main challenger. (with inputs from agencies)

Netanyahu claims victory in Israel election but majority uncertain

Speaking at WION’s fourth edition of the Global Summit in Dubai, Israeli politician&nbsp;Fleur&nbsp;Hassan-Nahoum shed light on what Abraham Accords meant for Israelis on the ground.

“For Israel and Israelis, this [peace deal] has changed everything”, the Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem said.

She further shed light on the impediments that have remained in terms of acceptance for Israel in the region.&nbsp; “For years, all we wanted was to be accepted as a partner in the region”, she said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-wion-global-summit-leaders-discuss-how-israel-palestine-conflict-will-affect-west-asia-peace-372843" hreflang="en">At WION Global Summit, leaders discuss how Israel-Palestine conflict will affect West Asia peace</a>

“Although&nbsp;we have made deals with Jordan and Egypt that brought regional stabilisation, it never really trickled down to people in terms of tourism, in terms of peer-to-peer inter-businesses”, Fluer Hassan-Nahoum added.

Explaining why this peace deal is different for Israelis, she added, “This, for Israelis is a different peace because it was signed by leaders so diligently, engineered by Trump administration - but ultimately it’s the peace that has been achieved from people to people”.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/economic-centre-of-gravity-has-moved-to-east-asia-former-vp-of-world-bank-tells-wion-global-summit-372849" hreflang="en">Economic centre of gravity has moved to East Asia, former VP of World Bank tells WION Global Summit</a>

She also talked about the strides made in the aftermath of the peace deal. “The platform that we created - the UAE-Israel Business Council, became useful because we provided infrastructure for regular people to be able to talk to each other, to do business with each other, and [to] reach out to each other”, she said.

According to Hassan-Nahoum, people across the region have accepted the newly found sense of peace.&nbsp; “People have embraced this peace - the Emiratis, the Israelis, the Moroccans, the Bahrainis, with open arms”, she added.

The deputy mayor of Jerusalem also added how many were sceptical of how this would pan out, and how the new peace was not expected, ''but that’s what happened on the ground”.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wion-global-summit-pundits-explore-role-challenges-of-digitalisation-372856" hreflang="en">WION Global Summit: Pundits explore role, challenges of digitalisation</a>

The Abraham Accords, signed in Washington DC in August 2020, facilitated by the US administration,&nbsp; normalised relationships between Israel, the UAE, and Bahrain.&nbsp;This agreement marked the first sign of normalisation of ties between Israel and an Arab country since Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994.

Speaking at WION’s fourth edition of the Global Summit in Dubai, Israeli politician Fleur Hassan-Nahoum shed light on what Abraham Accords meant for Israelis on the ground.

Speaking at WION’s fourth edition of the Global Summit in Dubai, Israeli politician Fleur Hassan-Nahoum shed light on what Abraham Accords meant for Israelis on the ground. “For Israel and Israelis, this [peace deal] has changed everything”, the Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem said. She further shed light on the impediments that have remained in terms of acceptance for Israel in the region. “For years, all we wanted was to be accepted as a partner in the region”, she said. Also read: At WION Global Summit, leaders discuss how Israel-Palestine conflict will affect West Asia peace “Although we have made deals with Jordan and Egypt that brought regional stabilisation, it never really trickled down to people in terms of tourism, in terms of peer-to-peer inter-businesses”, Fluer Hassan-Nahoum added. Explaining why this peace deal is different for Israelis, she added, “This, for Israelis is a different peace because it was signed by leaders so diligently, engineered by Trump administration - but ultimately it’s the peace that has been achieved from people to people”. Also read: Economic centre of gravity has moved to East Asia, former VP of World Bank tells WION Global Summit She also talked about the strides made in the aftermath of the peace deal. “The platform that we created - the UAE-Israel Business Council, became useful because we provided infrastructure for regular people to be able to talk to each other, to do business with each other, and [to] reach out to each other”, she said. According to Hassan-Nahoum, people across the region have accepted the newly found sense of peace. “People have embraced this peace - the Emiratis, the Israelis, the Moroccans, the Bahrainis, with open arms”, she added. The deputy mayor of Jerusalem also added how many were sceptical of how this would pan out, and how the new peace was not expected, ''but that’s what happened on the ground”. Also read: WION Global Summit: Pundits explore role, challenges of digitalisation The Abraham Accords, signed in Washington DC in August 2020, facilitated by the US administration, normalised relationships between Israel, the UAE, and Bahrain. This agreement marked the first sign of normalisation of ties between Israel and an Arab country since Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994.

All we wanted was acceptance: Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem Fleur Hassan-Nahoum at WION Global Summit

Israelis made the trip to polling stations for a fourth time in two years amid uncertainty over the political future of PM Benjamin Netanyahu. WION's Molly Gambhir gets you a report.

Gravitas: Netanyahu faces uphill battle as Israel votes

Israel holds its fourth general election in two years on Tuesday after the coalition government collapsed in December.

Israel Elects: 4th snap polls since the collapse of Netanyahu's govt

Israel has gone to the polls for the fourth time in two years what is being largely seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's continuance.

Israel Election: COVID-19 vaccines saved Israel, but will it save Netanyahu?

Israel and New Zealand have given interim approval for the sale of biotech firm SaNOtize Research and Development’s Nitric Oxide Nasal Spray (NONS) which could help prevent transmission of the COVID-19 virus.

Israel, New Zealand give interim approval for sale of COVID-19 nasal spray

Israelis return to the polling station for the fourth time in two years

As Israel started voting on Tuesday, the authorities have made special arrangements to make sure that people who 
have tested positive for the deadly coronavirus do not miss out on the chance to exercise their right to vote.

Israelis who tested positive for coronavirus will be casting their ballots in specially designed drive-through polling stations.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/polls-open-in-israel-as-contenders-seek-to-topple-pm-netanyahu-372460">Polls open in Israel as contenders seek to topple PM Netanyahu</a>

The country began its fourth elections in the past two years on Tuesday morning. This time the current Prime 
Minister Benjamin &nbsp;Netanyahu's Likud party will be clashing against a new challenger Yair Lapid-led centre-lesh Atid party.

Netanyahu is running his campaign on the basis of the recovery and vaccination drive which set a world record in the coronavirus pandemic year.

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-elects-4th-snap-polls-since-the-collapse-of-netanyahus-govt-372469/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

With the slogan of "Vaccination Nation", Netanyahu is hoping to be able to win back the votes of the locals after battling various allegations and cases of abuse of power and corruption.

Since the coronavirus pandemic has sent the country into multiple lockdowns, the authorities have made sure to take all necessary precautions.

The people who have tested positive for COVID-19 have been given the chance to cast their vote by casting their ballot through a drive-through polling booth.

All election officers and volunteers present at the booths were seen wearing protective gears from head to toe, while 
supervising and initiating the voting process.

When a car drives in through the designated drive-way, the ballot station is wheeled towards the car and the 
officials stand behind a divider while the voters choose their ballot.

Netanyahu is hoping to continue his stride of being Israel's longest-serving head of the government, despite the continuous protests against him.

As Israel started voting on Tuesday, the authorities have made special arrangements to make sure that people who have tested positive for the deadly coronavirus do not miss out on the chance to exercise their right to vote.

As Israel started voting on Tuesday, the authorities have made special arrangements to make sure that people who have tested positive for the deadly coronavirus do not miss out on the chance to exercise their right to vote. Israelis who tested positive for coronavirus will be casting their ballots in specially designed drive-through polling stations. Also read | Polls open in Israel as contenders seek to topple PM Netanyahu The country began its fourth elections in the past two years on Tuesday morning. This time the current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party will be clashing against a new challenger Yair Lapid-led centre-lesh Atid party. Netanyahu is running his campaign on the basis of the recovery and vaccination drive which set a world record in the coronavirus pandemic year. Watch | With the slogan of "Vaccination Nation", Netanyahu is hoping to be able to win back the votes of the locals after battling various allegations and cases of abuse of power and corruption. Since the coronavirus pandemic has sent the country into multiple lockdowns, the authorities have made sure to take all necessary precautions. The people who have tested positive for COVID-19 have been given the chance to cast their vote by casting their ballot through a drive-through polling booth. All election officers and volunteers present at the booths were seen wearing protective gears from head to toe, while supervising and initiating the voting process. When a car drives in through the designated drive-way, the ballot station is wheeled towards the car and the officials stand behind a divider while the voters choose their ballot. Netanyahu is hoping to continue his stride of being Israel's longest-serving head of the government, despite the continuous protests against him.

Israel opts for drive-thru voting for COVID positive people

Thousands of Israelis have taken to the streets to protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, just days before the country’s fourth general election in less than two years.

Israel elects: Over 20,000 people gathered near Netanyahu's residence

WION Dispatch: Israel's record fourth election heading towards a deadlock

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed victory over Covid-19 by making Israel a 'vaccination nation'. Even that may not be enough when voters wearing mandatory masks cast their ballots in an election on Tuesday.&nbsp;

Netanyahu, who turned Israel's world-leading rollout of vaccines into a showcase of his campaign in the country's fourth national poll in two years, gave a measured assessment of his chances after the latest opinion polls pointed to a close race.&nbsp;

"I'm still missing a (parliamentary) seat or two to achieve a stable government," he said on Army Radio on Sunday, in what could have been a strategic bid to rally supporters of his right-wing Likud party to turn out to vote.&nbsp;

Opinion polls showed an uptick for Likud in the campaign's home stretch, giving a Netanyahu-led coalition of conservative and ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties around 60 seats, still short of a majority in the 120-member parliament.&nbsp;

But the surveys indicated that a potential, though perhaps unlikely alliance of left-wing, centre and rightist factions, possibly led by Netanyahu's strongest rival in the polls - centrist Yair Lapid of the Yesh Atid party - is also near 60.&nbsp;

No one party has ever won a parliamentary majority on its own in an Israeli election. In a close contest, election night results may only be a starting point, with backroom coalition talks determining whether 'King Bibi' will still rule.&nbsp;

Gone this time were Netanyahu's giant billboards featuring a handshake with ally Donald Trump, defeated in the US presidential election in November.&nbsp;

And with Democrat Joe Biden in the White House, there was little prospect of US diplomatic moves that could help Netanyahu's election chances.&nbsp;

Israel's longest-serving leader, 71, focused instead on highlighting his role in turning high-tech Israel into what he dubbed a 'vaccination nation'.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed victory over Covid-19 by making Israel a 'vaccination nation'. Even that may not be enough when voters wearing mandatory masks cast their ballots in an election on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed victory over Covid-19 by making Israel a 'vaccination nation'. Even that may not be enough when voters wearing mandatory masks cast their ballots in an election on Tuesday. Netanyahu, who turned Israel's world-leading rollout of vaccines into a showcase of his campaign in the country's fourth national poll in two years, gave a measured assessment of his chances after the latest opinion polls pointed to a close race. "I'm still missing a (parliamentary) seat or two to achieve a stable government," he said on Army Radio on Sunday, in what could have been a strategic bid to rally supporters of his right-wing Likud party to turn out to vote. Opinion polls showed an uptick for Likud in the campaign's home stretch, giving a Netanyahu-led coalition of conservative and ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties around 60 seats, still short of a majority in the 120-member parliament. But the surveys indicated that a potential, though perhaps unlikely alliance of left-wing, centre and rightist factions, possibly led by Netanyahu's strongest rival in the polls - centrist Yair Lapid of the Yesh Atid party - is also near 60. No one party has ever won a parliamentary majority on its own in an Israeli election. In a close contest, election night results may only be a starting point, with backroom coalition talks determining whether 'King Bibi' will still rule. Gone this time were Netanyahu's giant billboards featuring a handshake with ally Donald Trump, defeated in the US presidential election in November. And with Democrat Joe Biden in the White House, there was little prospect of US diplomatic moves that could help Netanyahu's election chances. Israel's longest-serving leader, 71, focused instead on highlighting his role in turning high-tech Israel into what he dubbed a 'vaccination nation'. (With inputs from agencies)

Will 'vaccination nation' Israel vote for Prime Minister Netanyahu? 

Israel's election heading towards a deadlock

Thousands protest against Netanyahu ahead of election in Israel

Israel is all set to go to the polls for the fourth time in 2 years and Prime Miniter Benjamin Netanyahu is facing yet another re-election battle next week.

Israel: PM Netanyahu fights for re-election without key ally Trump

Oldest woven basket in the world found in Israel, dating back 15,000 years. Six-millennia-old skeleton of child also unearthed by Israeli archaeologists. Watch video to know more

World’s oldest basket found in Israeli desert

Israel's Tel Aviv has an app called "Safe Up" which is built to help women in distress. Neta Schreiber has developed the app in the region.

Israel: App developed to help women in distress in Tel Aviv

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was deterred from flying to the United Arab Emirates through Saudi Arabian airspace last week because of the threat of missile fire from Iranian proxies in Yemen.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu's UAE trip cancelled due to threat of missile fire

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was deterred from flying to the United Arab Emirates through Saudi Arabian airspace last week because of the threat of missile fire from Iranian proxies in Yemen.&nbsp;

Netanyahu, whose comments came on Saturday, had called off a visit to the Emirates last week over a spat with neighbouring Jordan, which had temporarily closed its airspace to the Israeli prime minister's flight.&nbsp;

But rather than bypass Jordanian airspace and take a more southerly route across Saudi skies, Netanyahu told Israel's Channel 13, there were also problems a week ago in the skies of Saudi Arabia, referring to recent missile attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels.&nbsp;

Netanyahu did not elaborate, nor did he say his plane was targeted by the Iran-backed Houthis.&nbsp;

Yemen's Houthi rebels, who control the capital and much of the country's north, have escalated their cross-border attacks on critical Saudi infrastructure in recent weeks, crashing bomb-laden drones and missiles into the kingdom's Patriot missile batteries and revealing gaps in the country's defenses.&nbsp;

Last week, missiles and drones hit one of the world's largest oil shipping ports and halted air traffic toward the international airport in the port city of Jiddah. While Houthi-claimed attacks on Saudi Arabia rarely cause substantial damage, such strikes have roiled the world economy and raise the risk of a disruption in global oil supplies.&nbsp;

Netanyahu was slated to make the first official visit by an Israeli leader to the United Arab Emirates, half a year after the countries established formal relations. He had hoped to use the audience with the UAE's crown prince to boost his reelection campaign less than two weeks before Israel's March 23 parliamentary elections.&nbsp;

The Prime Minister's Office said it had difficulties coordinating the flight over Jordanian airspace after Jordan's crown prince canceled a visit to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, a sensitive holy site under Jordanian custodianship, due to disagreements over security arrangements.&nbsp;

The prime minister insisted that relations between the two countries were positive, adding that Jordan needs good relations with us no less than we need good relations with Jordan.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was deterred from flying to the United Arab Emirates through Saudi Arabian airspace last week because of the threat of missile fire from Iranian proxies in Yemen. Netanyahu, whose comments came on Saturday, had called off a visit to the Emirates last week over a spat with neighbouring Jordan, which had temporarily closed its airspace to the Israeli prime minister's flight. But rather than bypass Jordanian airspace and take a more southerly route across Saudi skies, Netanyahu told Israel's Channel 13, there were also problems a week ago in the skies of Saudi Arabia, referring to recent missile attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels. Netanyahu did not elaborate, nor did he say his plane was targeted by the Iran-backed Houthis. Yemen's Houthi rebels, who control the capital and much of the country's north, have escalated their cross-border attacks on critical Saudi infrastructure in recent weeks, crashing bomb-laden drones and missiles into the kingdom's Patriot missile batteries and revealing gaps in the country's defenses. Last week, missiles and drones hit one of the world's largest oil shipping ports and halted air traffic toward the international airport in the port city of Jiddah. While Houthi-claimed attacks on Saudi Arabia rarely cause substantial damage, such strikes have roiled the world economy and raise the risk of a disruption in global oil supplies. Netanyahu was slated to make the first official visit by an Israeli leader to the United Arab Emirates, half a year after the countries established formal relations. He had hoped to use the audience with the UAE's crown prince to boost his reelection campaign less than two weeks before Israel's March 23 parliamentary elections. The Prime Minister's Office said it had difficulties coordinating the flight over Jordanian airspace after Jordan's crown prince canceled a visit to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, a sensitive holy site under Jordanian custodianship, due to disagreements over security arrangements. The prime minister insisted that relations between the two countries were positive, adding that Jordan needs good relations with us no less than we need good relations with Jordan. (With inputs from agencies)

Israeli PM avoided Saudi airspace due to Houthi missiles 

A report has revealed that Israel has bombed at least a dozen Syria-bound ships in the last two years, most of which have been carrying Iranian oil.&nbsp;

The report by the Wall Street Journal said the attacks included deploying water mines in the Red Sea and some of these assaults blocked Iranian move to send weaponry to Syria. &nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://wionews.com/videos/israeli-jets-escort-us-b-52-bombers-amid-iran-tensions-368927/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The oil supplies were targetted over concerns "that petroleum profits are funding extremism in the Middle East," it said.

None of the tankers sank, but the strikes forced two tankers to return back to Iranian ports.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="http://wionews.com/world/israeli-jets-escort-us-b-52-bombers-amid-iran-tensions-368735">Israeli jets escort US B-52 bombers amid Iran tensions</a>

Israel has neither confirmed nor denied the report so far.&nbsp;

The revelations come amid two recent tanker attacks in the region and could further deteriorate ties between the arch-nemesis.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

A report has revealed that Israel has bombed at least a dozen Syria-bound ships in the last two years, most of which have been carrying Iranian oil. The report by the Wall Street Journal said the attacks included deploying water mines in the Red Sea and some of these assaults blocked Iranian move to send weaponry to Syria.

A report has revealed that Israel has bombed at least a dozen Syria-bound ships in the last two years, most of which have been carrying Iranian oil. The report by the Wall Street Journal said the attacks included deploying water mines in the Red Sea and some of these assaults blocked Iranian move to send weaponry to Syria. Watch | The oil supplies were targetted over concerns "that petroleum profits are funding extremism in the Middle East," it said. None of the tankers sank, but the strikes forced two tankers to return back to Iranian ports. Also read | Israeli jets escort US B-52 bombers amid Iran tensions Israel has neither confirmed nor denied the report so far. The revelations come amid two recent tanker attacks in the region and could further deteriorate ties between the arch-nemesis.

Israel bombed dozen Iranian ships carrying oil to Syria in last 2 years: Report

France releases some restrictions on International travellers from Australia, UK, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore and also South Korea. France's foreign ministry said those travelling to or from seven countries will no longer need to have a compelling reason to travel.

France eases travel rules for Australia, UK, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore and South Korea

With less than 12 days before another round of elections, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will pay his first visit to the United Arab Emirates on Thursday. Netanyahu is said to have updated Defense Minister Benny Gantz on the visit.

PM Netanyahu to visit UAE 12 days before Israel elections

Palestinian hospitals are overfull and Intensive Care Units (ICUs) are operating 100 per cent capacity with coronavirus patients as neighbouring country Israel has begun to lift COVID restrictions.

100% occupancy in Palestinian hospitals as Israel loosens COVID restrictions

israel

Israel, News on Israel, stories on Israel, articles on Israel, Israel stories at Wion, Israel news, Israel latest news