Netanyahu, Gantz deadlocked in Israeli polls

Netanyahu says he’ll seek ‘Zionist’ govt

Jerusalem, Sept. 18: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his main challenger Benny Gantz were deadlocked on Wednesday after a general election, reports said, raising the possibility of a unity government or even the end of the premier’s long rule.

Various Israeli media reported that Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud and Gantz’s Blue and White had 32 seats each of parliament’s 120 with more than 90 per cent of the vote counted.

Israel’s prime minister said he will seek the formation of a new “Zionist” government that excludes Arab parties.

Benjamin Netanyahu addressed a small crowd of supporters in Tel Aviv at 3.30 a.m. Wednesday, more than five hours after voting ended.

Initial exit polls placed challenger Benny Gantz's Blue and White party just ahead of Netanyahu's Likud, hurting Netanyahu’s chances of remaining as PM.

The reports were citing sources with the elections committee, as that level of results had not been officially posted yet and were not expected before Wednesday afternoon.

The results gave no obvious path for either to form a majority coalition, raising the possibility of negotiations towards a unity government.

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. In his speech to supporters in Tel Aviv, Gantz 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.”

— AFP Buildings are seen as haze blankets the skyline of Singapore on Wednesday. Toxic haze from Indonesian forest fires closed thousands of schools across the country and in neighbouring Malaysia on Wednesday, while air quality worsened in Singapore just days before the city’s Formula One motor race.

Benjamin Netanyahu.