Israel Goes Back to the Polls on Netanyahu's Future

World

March 2nd, 5:37am

Asharq Al-Awsat

FILE PHOTO: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to his supporters as he campaigns at a Likud party rally ahead of the upcoming election, in Ramat Gan, Israel February 29, 2020. REUTERS/ Nir Elias

Israelis were voting for a third time in 12 months on Monday, with embattled Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seeking to end the country's political crisis and save his career under the weight of an imminent corruption trial. The vote comes just two weeks before the right-wing premier stands trial over a series of corruption allegations, but final polls indicated his support was holding, suggesting another close race between his Likud and the centrist Blue and White party. Both will almost certainly fall well short of a majority in Israel's proportional system and the winner will seek to form a coalition with multiple smaller parties. After elections in both April and September last year neither were able to do so, and a similar deadlock remains possible. With few undecided in a divided country of 6.4 million eligible voters, turnout will be key and all parties were campaigning to get their supporters to the polls. Netanyahu, in power since 2009, said Sunday internal polls suggested they were close to winning and finally breaking the political deadlock. "We are very close to victory," Israel's longest-serving premier told a press conference. "Leave your homes and vote Likud." Blue and White leader Benny Gantz, a former military general, urged supporters to vote and end Netanyahu's divisive rule. "You can't just sit at home clicking your tongue, saying 'what's happening here,'" Gantz told public radio Sunday. "Get out and vote." In April's election each party won 35 seats, while in September Blue and White garnered 33 against Likud's 32. A number of rightwing parties, including two ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties who last time won 17 seats between them, have already pledged to support Netanyahu. The Joint List, a coalition representing Israel's Arab minority, won 13 seats in September and backed Gantz, as did a number of smaller leftwing parties. In January, Netanyahu was officially charged with bribery, fraud and breach of trust, becoming the first sitting Israeli leader to be indicted. The 70-year-old will face trial from March 17 on charges including receiving improper gifts worth thousands of dollars and offering a media mogul lucrative regulatory changes in exchange for favorable coverage. Netanyahu has dominated Likud for twenty years and maintains a deep loyalty in the party, easily defeating a recent leadership challenge. He has denied all charges, accusing the state prosecution, media and others of a witch-hunt. Polls suggest Likud's support has held firm.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2158306/israel-goes-back-polls-netanyahus-future