Politics 11:58 17/09/2019 World

Israel votes in repeat election focused on Netanyahu

Israelis were voting Tuesday in an unprecedented repeat election that will decide whether longtime Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stays in power, Politico reported. 

Against the prospect of a likely indictment on corruption charges, Netanyahu is seeking a fifth term in office.

He faces a stiff challenge from retired military chief Benny Gantz, whose centrist Blue and White party is running even with Netanyahu’s Likud. Both parties could struggle to form a majority coalition with smaller allies, though, forcing them into a potential unity government.

It’s the second election this year, after Netanyahu failed to build a coalition following April’s vote and dissolved parliament.

Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. and exit polls are expected at the end of the voting day at 10 p.m. Official results are projected to come in overnight.

With his political career on the line, Netanyahu has campaigned furiously and taken a late hard turn to the right. He’s staged a flurry of media appearances to beseech supporters to vote in large numbers to stave off the prospect of a left-wing government he says will endanger the country’s security.

A centerpiece of his late-hour agenda has been the pledge to extend Israeli sovereignty over parts of the West Bank and to annex all the Jewish settlements there, something Netanyahu has refrained from doing during his decade-plus in power.

The proposal sparked a cascade of international condemnation, including from Europe and Saudi Arabia, an influential Arab country that has quiet, unofficial ties with Israel. The U.S., however, had a muted reaction, suggesting Netanyahu coordinated his plan with the Americans ahead of time.

He’s also been flaunting his close ties to President Donald Trump and the prospect of a defense pact between their countries shortly after the election.

Gantz is offering himself as an honest alternative to the scandal-plagued Netanyahu and his narrow coalition of ultranationalist and ultra-religious parties. Campaigning on rhetoric of unity and egalitarianism, Gantz says he represents a fresh start for Israel and has ruled out joining forces with a prime minister accused of serious crimes.

Israel’s attorney general has recommended pressing criminal charges against Netanyahu in three separate corruption cases, pending a long delayed pretrial hearing scheduled for early October — just three weeks after the election.



Source Panorama.am
Share |
Տեքստում սխալ կամ վրիպակ նկատելու դեպքում, ուղարկեք խմբագրին հաղորդագրություն` նշելով տվյալ սխալը, այնուհետև սեղմելով Ctrl-Enter:

Newsfeed

17:13
EU could extend monitoring mission in Armenia through 2027
The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, has proposed a two-year extension of the...
16:45
Putin ready for talks with Trump, Kremlin says
The Kremlin said Friday that President Vladimir Putin was open to talks with Donald Trump, after the incoming US president said a meeting...
16:34
Armenian FM, EU envoy discuss security situation in South Caucasus
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan on Friday had a meeting with the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in...
16:05
Yeghishe Charents' book sent into space on museum anniversary
The 60th anniversary of the founding and the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Yeghishe Charents House-Museum in Yerevan have been...
15:36
Pashinyan 'unaware' of developments in Armenia, ex-advisor says
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Thursday claimed that the number of air passengers arriving in Armenia increased by 20% between January 1...
15:02
ECHR told Baku to provide information on Armenian prisoners by late January
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ordered Azerbaijan to provide information on Armenian prisoners held illegally in Baku by the end...
14:35
Temperatures set to rise in Armenia
Dry weather is expected in Armenia's regions on Friday and over the next few days. Yerevan will also remain free of precipitation...
14:03
Politician: Impossible to achieve peace through 'political begging'
Opposition politician Eduard Sharmazanov claims former Armenian leaders managed to secure favorable terms in negotiations with Azerbaijan over...
13:16
Pashinyan's leadership: a catalyst for Armenia's decline
Op-ed by Vartan Oskanian, former Armenian foreign minister As 2025 unfolds, Armenia finds itself at a critical crossroads,...
13:05
WTA Hobart: Avanesyan loses semifinal to Kessler
American McCartney Kessler moved into the final of the WTA Hobart International by edging out Armenian Elina Avanesyan, the No 6 seed, 4-6, 6-3,...
12:30
Armenian State Symphony Orchestra to perform at Dubai Opera
The Armenian State Symphony Orchestra will present the Symphonic Rock concert series in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from January 17 to 19,...
12:14
Armenian archbishop voices support for Artsakh leaders facing sham trials in Baku
Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan has expressed support for Artsakh’s military and political leaders, as well as other Armenian prisoners...
11:35
Death toll in Los Angeles wildfires rises to 10
At least 10 people are believed to be dead as wildfires continue to scorch many cities in the Los Angeles County area, Euronews reported....
11:24
Fog blankets parts of Armenia
The Rescue Service has warned drivers of a road closure in Armenia. In particular, the road connecting the Amberd high mountain...
11:11
Armenia offers condolences amid devastating wildfires in California
The Armenian Foreign Ministry has extended condolences to those affected by the devastating wildfires in California. "Saddened by...
17:19
Pashinyan could recall CSTO after Aliyev's remarks, top Russian official says
Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev claims that Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan could recall the...
16:46
Over 137,000 people evacuated amid Los Angeles wildfires
At least five wildfires are raging in Los Angeles - the two largest cover more than 27,000 acres and are 0% contained, BBC News reports....
16:30
Fog expected to hit some parts of Armenia
Dry weather is expected in Armenia's regions on Thursday and over the next few days. No precipitation is forecast for the capital...
16:05
Kremlin doubts Armenia can be member of both EU and EAEU
Armenia can hardly be a member of both the European Union and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said at a...
15:36
MP calls for int'l action to prevent Azeri aggression against Armenia
Opposition lawmaker Tigran Abrahamyan has warned that Azerbaijani is planning fresh aggression against Armenia, calling on international actors...
15:00
Russia to continue building relations with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kremlin says
Moscow is committed to peace, stability, and security in the Caucasus and will continue to strengthen relations with both Baku and Yerevan,...
14:38
Expert: Armenian leadership lacks 'plan B' for possible war
Political analyst Suren Sargsyan has called out the Armenian authorities for failure to handle security challenges facing the country....
14:06
Catholicos Aram I closely following California wildfire crisis
In recent hours, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia has reached out multiple times to the Prelate of the Western...
13:36
US refrains from commenting on strategic partnership with Armenia for now
The United States “has nothing to comment on or announce at this point” regarding the potential signing of a strategic partnership...
13:08
Armenian government backs EU accession bid
The Armenian government has expressed support for a legislative initiative to launch a process for the country’s accession to the European...
12:36
Baku TV again falsely presents ancient Armenian church as Azerbaijani heritage
A pro-government TV channel in Baku has once again falsely presented the 7th-century Armenian monastery of Harichavank as part of...
12:00
Lucas Zelarayán returns to Belgrano
Belgrano de Córdoba has officially announced the return of Lucas Zelarayán after weeks of uncertainty, during which the club...
11:45
Fog hits Armenian town
The Rescue Service has warned drivers of a road closure in Armenia as of Thursday morning. In particular, the road connecting the...
11:33
Hobart International: Elina Avanesyan through to semifinals
Armenian Elina Avanesyan, the No 6 seed, advanced to the last four of the Hobart International after American Amanda Anisimova, the No 3 seed,...
11:22
Armenian school destroyed in California wildfires
As the windstorm wreaking havoc across Los Angeles County continues to rage, its devastating impact has left thousands homeless, evacuated,...

Follow us and get updates!

Most popular articles

{"core.blocks.header.spell_message1":"Selected mistake: ","core.blocks.header.spell_message2":"Send a message about the mistake?"}