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Netanyahu seeks re-election as Israel goes to polls Netanyahu seeks re-election as Israel goes to polls
(about 2 hours later)
Israelis have begun voting in a general election, with opinion polls suggesting PM Benjamin Netanyahu will return to office but with a reduced majority.Israelis have begun voting in a general election, with opinion polls suggesting PM Benjamin Netanyahu will return to office but with a reduced majority.
Campaigning in Jerusalem, Mr Netanyahu said the choice was between parties that would lead to "a divided and weak Israel or a united and strong Israel". Mr Netanyahu said the choice was between parties that would lead to "a divided and weak Israel or a united and strong Israel".
Analysts say Mr Netanyahu is likely to form a new right-wing coalition. Analysts say he is likely to form a new right-wing coalition.
Unlike previous elections, the Israeli-Palestinian peace process has not been high on most parties' campaign agendas.Unlike previous elections, the Israeli-Palestinian peace process has not been high on most parties' campaign agendas.
Social and economic issues have emerged as key concerns among voters in the run-up to the polls.Social and economic issues have emerged as key concerns among voters in the run-up to the polls.
According to final opinion polls, Mr Netanyahu's joint Likud-Yisrael Beitenu party list will win about 32 seats - down from the previous election but enough to form a majority with right-wing parties. According to final opinion polls, the joint electoral list of Mr Netanyahu's Likud party and the ultra-nationalist Yisrael Beitenu party of his former foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman will win about 32 seats. That would be 10 fewer than their combined total from the previous election but still enough to form a majority with right-wing parties.
A right-wing bloc is expected to give Mr Netanyahu support of about 63 seats in the 120-member Knesset (parliament). Other right-wing and religious parties are expected to give Mr Netanyahu a majority of about 63 seats in the 120-member Knesset (parliament).
Mr Netanyahu called early elections last October after his coalition had failed to agree the annual budget. Soon after dawn at the Kol Israel Havarim High School in West Jerusalem, a trickle of Israeli voters were up early to cast their ballots. Party workers fuelled by strong coffee put up last-minute banners outside to try to sway opinion. But barring something dramatic Prime Minister Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu is expected to keep his job.
His joint party ticket has consistently led opinion polls, but recently lost support to a new ultra-nationalist party, Bayit Yehudi (Jewish Home). For some the lack of suspense has been a little boring. "This is the sleepiest election we can remember," Gil Hoffman of the Jerusalem Post told me. "Everyone knows who's going to win." One voter said this week: "Bibi is strong. No Bibi, no nothing."
'Good feeling' Security, never far from the minds of Israelis, is seen by many as Mr Netanyahu's strong point. The economy has also been a big issue. One issue conspicuous in its absence, though, has been Middle East peace, prospects for which are currently remote.
Some 1,000 polling stations opened on Tuesday at 07:00 local time (05:00 GMT) and will close at 22:00. "The non-issues are the things people care about in England," Mr Hoffman said. "Palestinians, settlements and peace - people don't care about that." And that does not bode well for those hoping for an end to the Israel- Palestinian conflict.
Mr Netanyahu called early elections last October after his coalition failed to agree the annual budget.
His joint party ticket has consistently led opinion polls, but recently lost support to a new ultra-nationalist party, Habayit Hayehudi (Jewish Home).
'Jewish soul'
Some 1,000 polling stations opened on Tuesday at 07:00 local time (05:00 GMT) and will close at 22:00 (20:00 GMT). About 5.66 million people are eligible to vote.
For the first time the public is able to follow the counting of ballots in real time on a government website, Israel's Haaretz newspaper reports.For the first time the public is able to follow the counting of ballots in real time on a government website, Israel's Haaretz newspaper reports.
The first results are expected overnight. Final results are expected by Wednesday morning, after which coalition talks that could take several weeks will begin.
Speaking at his final campaign appearance, Mr Netanyahu said he was confident of a late surge in support. Speaking at his final campaign appearance in Jerusalem on Monday, Mr Netanyahu said he was confident of a late surge in support.
"I have no doubt that many, many people will decide at the last minute to come home to Likud-Yisrael Beitenu."I have no doubt that many, many people will decide at the last minute to come home to Likud-Yisrael Beitenu.
"I have a good feeling. And at the last minute, I appeal to each and every citizen going to the ballot box: Decide for whom you are going to vote - for a divided and weak Israel or for a united and strong Israel and a large governing party.""I have a good feeling. And at the last minute, I appeal to each and every citizen going to the ballot box: Decide for whom you are going to vote - for a divided and weak Israel or for a united and strong Israel and a large governing party."
Likud-Yisrael Beitenu's right-wing dominance has been challenged by Bayit Yehudi, led by millionaire businessman Naftali Bennett - Mr Netanyahu's former chief-of-staff. Likud-Yisrael Beitenu's right-wing dominance has been challenged by Habayit Hayehudi, led by millionaire businessman Naftali Bennett - Mr Netanyahu's former chief-of-staff.
Mr Bennett has advocated annexing large parts of the occupied West Bank and rejected the idea of a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict.Mr Bennett has advocated annexing large parts of the occupied West Bank and rejected the idea of a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict.
Bayit Yehudi is forecast to take up to 14 seats and become the third-largest party in the Knesset. "I pray to God to give me the power to unite all of Israel and to restore Israel's Jewish soul," Mr Bennett said on Monday during a campaign appearance at Jerusalem's Western Wall.
The second-biggest party is expected to be Labour, currently languishing on eight seats but predicted to make a comeback with about 18, due in large part to growing anger over the rising cost of living. Habayit Hayehudi is forecast to take up to 14 seats and become the third-largest party in the Knesset.
Labour Party leader Shelly Yachimovich has ruled out joining a coalition led by Mr Netanyahu. The second-largest party is expected to be Labour, which currently has eight seats but is predicted to make a comeback with about 17, due in large part to growing anger over the rising cost of living.
The new secular centrist party Yesh Atid (There is a Future), led by TV personality Yair Lapid, and centrist Hatenua, led by former Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, are also expected to do moderately well. Labour's leader, Shelly Yachimovich, has ruled out joining a coalition led by Mr Netanyahu.
Both leaders have said they would consider joining a Netanyahu-led government. The new secular centrist party, Yesh Atid (There is a Future), led by TV personality Yair Lapid, and centrist Hatnua (The Movement), led by former foreign minister Tzipi Livni, are also set to do moderately well. Both leaders have said they would consider joining a Netanyahu-led coalition.