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| Israel election: Netanyahu's Likud 'set for win' | Israel election: Netanyahu's Likud 'set for win' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party has won a surprise victory in Israel's election, Israeli media report. | |
| Earlier exit polls had suggested a dead heat with centre-left Zionist Union. | Earlier exit polls had suggested a dead heat with centre-left Zionist Union. |
| With most votes counted, Likud is said to be on course to take 29 seats in the 120-seat parliament, the Knesset, with the Zionist Union on 24 seats. | With most votes counted, Likud is said to be on course to take 29 seats in the 120-seat parliament, the Knesset, with the Zionist Union on 24 seats. |
| If confirmed, this would indicate another coalition government led by Mr Netanyahu. | If confirmed, this would indicate another coalition government led by Mr Netanyahu. |
| Mr Netanyahu would need support from other parties to form a coalition. | Mr Netanyahu would need support from other parties to form a coalition. |
| In a speech to his jubilant supporters in Tel Aviv after Tuesday's polls closed, Mr Netanyahu said he had already spoken to the leaders of other right-of-centre parties about forming a new government "without delay". | In a speech to his jubilant supporters in Tel Aviv after Tuesday's polls closed, Mr Netanyahu said he had already spoken to the leaders of other right-of-centre parties about forming a new government "without delay". |
| He described the vote as a "great victory" for Likud, which had trailed the Zionist Union in opinion polls in the run-up to the election. | He described the vote as a "great victory" for Likud, which had trailed the Zionist Union in opinion polls in the run-up to the election. |
| Mr Netanyahu said the result was achieved "against all odds". | Mr Netanyahu said the result was achieved "against all odds". |
| At the scene: BBC's Kevin Connolly, Likud HQ, Tel Aviv | At the scene: BBC's Kevin Connolly, Likud HQ, Tel Aviv |
| The Likud activists were dancing and singing within minutes of the TV stations broadcasting their exit polls quite simply because they can see a relatively simple pathway towards the formation of another right-wing coalition. | The Likud activists were dancing and singing within minutes of the TV stations broadcasting their exit polls quite simply because they can see a relatively simple pathway towards the formation of another right-wing coalition. |
| It would involve Mr Netanyahu teaming up with the secularists of Yisraeli Beitenu and Kulanu, and adding the religious nationalists of Jewish Home and the parties that represent ultra-orthodox Jews like Shas. | It would involve Mr Netanyahu teaming up with the secularists of Yisraeli Beitenu and Kulanu, and adding the religious nationalists of Jewish Home and the parties that represent ultra-orthodox Jews like Shas. |
| The outline of a workable coalition can be seen much more easily from this vantage point than from the point of view of the leftist Zionist Union led by Yitzhak Herzog. | The outline of a workable coalition can be seen much more easily from this vantage point than from the point of view of the leftist Zionist Union led by Yitzhak Herzog. |
| He campaigned well and if the exit polls are to be believed he polled pretty well too - but the coalition arithmetic simply doesn't look so good for him. | He campaigned well and if the exit polls are to be believed he polled pretty well too - but the coalition arithmetic simply doesn't look so good for him. |
| Likud celebrates surprise success | Likud celebrates surprise success |
| Speaking after the exit polls were published, Zionist Union leader Yitzhak Herzog told his supporters he was confident of forming the next government. | Speaking after the exit polls were published, Zionist Union leader Yitzhak Herzog told his supporters he was confident of forming the next government. |
| "We have achieved an unbelievable achievement today. | "We have achieved an unbelievable achievement today. |
| "I will do all that I can in order to create a real socially minded government for Israel." | "I will do all that I can in order to create a real socially minded government for Israel." |
| When final results are known, President Reuven Rivlin will give the task of forming a government to a party leader who he thinks has the strongest chance of assembling a coalition. | When final results are known, President Reuven Rivlin will give the task of forming a government to a party leader who he thinks has the strongest chance of assembling a coalition. |
| Israel's form of proportional representation always produces smaller parties and coalition government, the BBC's Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen in Tel Aviv reports. | Israel's form of proportional representation always produces smaller parties and coalition government, the BBC's Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen in Tel Aviv reports. |
| Divide | Divide |
| Mr Netanyahu could become Israel's longest-serving leader if he secures a fourth term. | Mr Netanyahu could become Israel's longest-serving leader if he secures a fourth term. |
| No party has ever won an outright majority under Israel's proportional representation voting system. | No party has ever won an outright majority under Israel's proportional representation voting system. |
| Almost 72% of those eligible voted in the election, which ended at 22:00 local time (20:00 GMT). The turnout was four points higher than the previous election in 2013. | Almost 72% of those eligible voted in the election, which ended at 22:00 local time (20:00 GMT). The turnout was four points higher than the previous election in 2013. |
| Israel's Channel 1 and Channel 10 both projected 27 seats each for Likud and Zionist Union, while Channel 2 gave Likud a one-seat lead, with 28 seats. | Israel's Channel 1 and Channel 10 both projected 27 seats each for Likud and Zionist Union, while Channel 2 gave Likud a one-seat lead, with 28 seats. |
| Sixty-one seats are needed in order to secure a majority. | Sixty-one seats are needed in order to secure a majority. |
| The Joint Arab List, an alliance of Israeli Arab-dominated parties, has come third with about 13 seats, the exit polls suggested. | The Joint Arab List, an alliance of Israeli Arab-dominated parties, has come third with about 13 seats, the exit polls suggested. |
| It has said, however, that it will not take any positions in government. | It has said, however, that it will not take any positions in government. |
| Mr Netanyahu had vowed not to allow the creation of a Palestinian state if he wins a fourth term, while Zionist Union has expressed support for a two-state solution and promised to repair relations with Palestinians and the international community. | Mr Netanyahu had vowed not to allow the creation of a Palestinian state if he wins a fourth term, while Zionist Union has expressed support for a two-state solution and promised to repair relations with Palestinians and the international community. |
| The main players | The main players |
| Who are the key candidates? | Who are the key candidates? |
| Did you vote in the election? You can share your views by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. If you are available to speak to a BBC journalist, please include a contact telephone number. | Did you vote in the election? You can share your views by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. If you are available to speak to a BBC journalist, please include a contact telephone number. |
| Have your say | Have your say |