PM fights to survive

Corruption charges hang over Netanyahu on eve of election

ISRAELIS will go to the polls tomorrow in a high stakes election on whether to extend Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s long tenure in power despite corruption allegations against him and a strong challenge by an ex-military chief.

Bolstered by his reputation as guarantor of Israel’s security and economic growth, Mr Netanyahu has spent more than 13 years as prime minister and opinion polls show that he could well win again.

If he wins he would be on track to surpass founding father David Ben-Gurion as Israel’s longest-serving prime minister.

In a last-minute appeal to right-wing voters, Mr Netanyahu said yesterday he was planning on annexing Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank if he claims victory.

The deeply controversial move could end hopes for a two-state solution with the Palestinians if conducted on a large scale.

In tomorrow’s election, Mr Netanyahu is fighting for his political life while facing a dual threat.

The possibility of indictment hangs over him while a centrist alliance headed by political novice Benny Gantz is battling his Likud Party neckand-neck in the polls.

Some surveys have shown Mr Netanyahu’s party could win fewer seats than Gantz’s Blue and White, but still be best placed to form a governing coalition based on support from other right-wing parties allied to him.

Through much of the acrimonious campaign, polls have shown Likud and Blue and White with around 30 seats each in the 120-seat parliament — far short of an outright majority and necessitating a coalition — as is usual in Israel.

Mr Netanyahu heads what is already seen as the most right wing government in Israel’s history, and if polling trends hold, his next coalition could be even further to the right.