Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, has claimed victory in the country’s recent general election, after television exit polls placed him ahead of main rival, Benny Gantz, with a majority of the seats in parliament.
This is the third election in Isreal in less than a year after neither leader was able to form a government due to inconclusive polls in April and September 2019.
What the Polls Are Saying
In their exit polls, three of Israel’s main TV stations projected that Netanyahu’s rightist party, Likud, would capture 60 of the parliament’s 120 seats, which is just one seat short of a majority.
However, in an updated exit poll, Israel’s Channel 13 dropped the figure down by 1, projecting that Likud would take over 59 seats. With 90 per cent of the votes counted, the polls finally showed Likud taking between 36 and 37 parliamentary seats, while Gantz’ Blue and White will take 32 or 33 seats. With this, Netanyahu’s party has won 29.3 per cent, compared to 26.3 per cent for Gantz.
It is imperative to note that while Netanyahu has secured, in some ways, a majority of parliament’s seat, a governing coalition with the other parties that make up parliament is necessary for complete control of the house. One of such parties is the Joint List alliance, which represents a large Arab minority in Israel, projected to secure 14 to 15 seats.
Netanyahu and Gantz React
Before an address in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu had reacted to the news on Twitter, saying: “We won thanks to our belief in our path and thanks to the people of Israel.”
Calling it a “huge victory,” Netanyahu called for a “strong national government,” during his press briefing, saying: “We must avoid any more elections. It’s time to heal the rifts. It’s time for reconciliation.”
In his statement, Gantz said: “I realize and share your feelings of disappointment and pain, for this isn’t the result that we wanted to happen,” also calling for unity moving forward, he added, “Israel needs unity, it needs conciliation, it yearns for a leadership that unites, and that is something that we will continue to offer the Israeli public”.
Netanyahu, who is seeking a historic fifth term, went on his campaign trail under the shadow of a looming corruption trial. The election took place two weeks before he is due to appear in court to face corruption charges.
