Israeli exit polls Netanyahu Fate Sealed

Wed, 2019-04-10 08:38 — editor

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Jerusalem, 10 April, (Asiantribune.com):

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his main challenger, former military chief Benny Gantz, were locked in a neck and neck race Tuesday as exit polls showed no clear winner in an election that was seen as a referendum on the long-serving leader.

Two Israeli TV stations showed Gantz’s Blue and White Party with a narrow lead over the Likud. Channel 12 TV had Blue and White with 37 seats to Likud’s 33 seats, while Kan TV put Blue and White ahead 37-36. Channel 13 had the two parties deadlocked with 36 seats apiece.

With final results hours away, the early indications were that Netanyahu suffered a setback by failing to score a decisive victory. The 69-year-old prime minister’s fate is clouded by a series of corruption investigations.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his main political rival Benny Gantz have both claimed victory in the elections despite mixed results in exit polls.

Gantz, the leader of Israel's Blue and White party, declared victory in the parliamentary elections late on Tuesday followed by Netanyahu claiming a win as well as two Israeli TV stations changed their forecasts and projected a narrow victory for Netanyahu.

As ballot counting started earlier on Tuesday, early exit polls suggested the Likud party and Blue and White party were neck and neck.

Addressing a jubilant gathering of supporters early on Wednesday, Netanyahu praised his supporters for an "almost inconceivable achievement".

"I was very moved that the nation of Israel once again entrusted me for the fifth time, and with even greater trust," said Netanyahu before vowing to establish a right-wing nationalist government.

Official results are expected to be announced early on Wednesday.

"We won! The Israeli public has had its say!" Gantz's Blue and White party said in a statement prior to Netanyahu's speech.

If Netanyahu wins, the 69-year-old will serve his fifth term in office, a record, and would become Israel's longest-serving prime minister in the summer.

- Asian Tribune -