ISRAELIS DRIVEN TO THE POLLS BUT DESTINATION IS FAR FROM CERTAIN
▶ Beleaguered prime minister in a fight for his political life as voter turnout reaches only 25.4% by midday
Israelis voted yesterday in their country’s fourth election in two years, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hoping he can win over a divided public and forge a coalition to keep him in power.
Polls show the public is split between supporters of Mr Netanyahu and those pushing to oust Israel’s longest-serving leader. Weeks of uncertainty are expected until a government is formed or another election is scheduled.
“I call on everyone to go out of your homes and realise the democratic right to vote,” the prime minister said as he cast his ballot at a Jerusalem school, describing the day as one of “joy and smiles”.
Turnout was initially lower than last March and reached 25.4 per cent at midday, according to the Central Elections Committee, hinting at voter apathy following three elections in swift succession.
Mr Netanyahu’s popularity has endured despite him being dogged by corruption allegations. He appeared in court last month, where he denied wrongdoing in three separate cases.
His right-wing Likud is set to emerge as the largest party, picking up 30 to 32 seats out of 120 up for grabs, according to final television polls released on Friday.
The owners of a Jerusalem coffee shop, Brandon Treger, described the prime minister as “a phenomenal manager of this country”.
Mr Netanyahu has overseen an aggressive vaccination drive in which more than 55 per cent of Israelis have received one dose, allowing the country’s economy to reopen.
But his government has been criticised by rights groups for providing vaccines to about 2 per cent of the Palestinian population in Gaza and the West Bank.
“I think his management’s really good, but I don’t trust Netanyahu with absolute power. I want him to have good partners,” said Mr Treger, 50, without saying who he voted for.
The Likud leader will need the support of smaller parties if he is to gain a 61-seat majority in parliament.
He would have to rely once again on religious and rightwing parties, with the possible inclusion of the far-right Religious Zionism alliance.
Mr Netanyahu has governed since 2009 and has styled himself as the ultimate statesman, steering Israel to four normalisation deals with Arab nations last year and describing himself as a firm friend of former US president Donald Trump.
Likud is well ahead of its closest opponent, the Yesh Atid party led by former journalist Yair Lapid, which is forecast to win 18 or 19 seats.
Running under a “sanity” campaign slogan, Israel’s former finance minister said yesterday he was the alternative to a government characterised by racism and extremism.
Mr Lapid won the support of voter Judith Ovadia, who said she was dissatisfied with Mr Netanyahu’s leadership.
“I want Yair Lapid because he’s very honest and all the time, what he says is what he does, and he never changes his mind,” said the 69-year-old, visiting Jerusalem from the northern city of Haifa.
Sitting beside a busy cafe, one of Ms Ovadia’s companions voted for Mr Netanyahu. Another switched from the prime minister to Naftali Bennett of the right-wing Yamina party.
“I think Netanyahu on the whole is a very good prime minister for us; he represents us well all over the world. But many people want a change,” said the Yamina voter, declining to give her name.
“They might not even know who to vote for. They just want someone different.”
While polls show Mr Netanyahu falling one seat short of a majority, it is not known whether parties from across the political spectrum who oppose him would be able to form their own coalition.
The Arab-led Joint List, which gained 15 seats in last year’s election, is now polling at just eight, having been hindered by the Ra’am party’s decision to break away and run on its own.
After two years of political turmoil, Israelis may have to wait weeks to find out if legislators are able to form a stable government.
Although exit polls were due to be released last night, it could take days for the final results to be known due to coronavirus measures slowing down the count and a large number of absentee ballots.
Consultations will follow between party leaders and President Reuven Rivlin, who will authorise a candidate to form a coalition. Speaking at a Jerusalem polling station, Mr Rivlin said the string of elections “erode public trust in the democratic process”.
“I am voting today for the last time as president, but above all, I do so as a concerned citizen. Very concerned,” he said.
The Likud leader will need the support of smaller parties if he is to gain a 61-seat majority in parliament