Salon.com > israeli elections

Netanyahu scrapes victory

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 14:12:00 +0000

JERUSALEM (AP) -- A badly weakened Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu scrambled Wednesday to keep his job by extending his hand to a new centrist party that advocates a more earnest push on peacemaking with the Palestinians after Israel's parliamentary election produced a stunning deadlock.

The results defied forecasts that Israel's next government would veer sharply to the right at a time when the country faces mounting international isolation, growing economic problems and regional turbulence. While that opens the door to unexpected movement on peace efforts, a coalition joining parties with dramatically divergent views on peacemaking, the economy and the military draft could just as easily be headed for gridlock - and perhaps a short life.

Israeli media said that with nearly all votes counted, each bloc had 60 of parliament's 120 seats. Commentators said Netanyahu, who called early elections three months ago expecting easy victory, would be tapped to form the next government because the rival camp drew 12 of its 60 seats from Arab parties that traditionally are excluded from coalition building.

Exit polls show win for Netanyahu and allies

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 21:54:00 +0000

JERUSALEM (AP) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud Party emerged as the largest faction in a hotly contested parliamentary election on Tuesday, positioning the hard-liner to serve a new term as prime minister, according to exit polls. But a lackluster performance by Likud, along with surprising gains by a centrist newcomer, raised the strong possibility that he will be forced to form a broad coalition.

The exit polls aired on Israel's three major TV stations all forecast Likud along with its traditional hardline and religious allies, capturing a shaky majority of just 61 or 62 seats in the 120-member parliament. With official results trickling in throughout the night, it was possible that the two sides could end in deadlock.

In a statement posted on his Facebook page, Netanyahu said he would reach across the aisle and try to form a broad-based coalition.

"According to the exit polls, it is clear that Israel citizens decided that they want me to continue to serve as prime minister of Israel, and that I form the widest possible majority (coalition)," he said. "Already this evening I will begin working toward the widest possible government."

Israel set for rightwing entrenchment

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 19:36:00 +0000

Israeli P.M. Benjamin Netanyahu is on course to maintain power in the upcoming elections, with the government expected to entrench towards an even more right-wing, pro-settler line. Tuesday's election "could be on course to give Israel the most hardline government in its history, deepening its international isolation and potentially putting strains on its relations with Washington," reported Reuters.

Netanyahu's Likud party entered the campaign forging an alliance with the hardline Yisrael Beitenu party. The coalition is expected to secure a narrow majority and Bibi will likely also invite the ultranationalist Jewish Home Party to join his ruling alliance. The P.M. made clear in his address that if re-elected, he will not listen to international calls to allow a Palestinian state delineated by pre-1967 borders. Via the Guardian: