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Israel election: Netanyahu claims poll 'victory' | Israel election: Netanyahu claims poll 'victory' |
(35 minutes later) | |
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed victory in Israel's parliamentary election. | Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed victory in Israel's parliamentary election. |
This was despite TV exit polls suggesting his Likud party had finished in a virtual tie with the left-of-centre Zionist Union. | This was despite TV exit polls suggesting his Likud party had finished in a virtual tie with the left-of-centre Zionist Union. |
Mr Netanyahu said he had already spoken to the leaders of other right-of-centre parties about forming a new government. | Mr Netanyahu said he had already spoken to the leaders of other right-of-centre parties about forming a new government. |
But opposition leader Yitzhak Herzog said the result showed his alliance could not be ignored. | |
Estimates by two Israeli broadcasters gave both sides 27 seats each in the 120-seat parliament, the Knesset. | Estimates by two Israeli broadcasters gave both sides 27 seats each in the 120-seat parliament, the Knesset. |
In a speech to his jubilant supporters in Tel Aviv, Mr Netanyahu described Tuesday's vote as a "great victory" for the right-wing Likud party, which is now credited with a better result than expected. | In a speech to his jubilant supporters in Tel Aviv, Mr Netanyahu described Tuesday's vote as a "great victory" for the right-wing Likud party, which is now credited with a better result than expected. |
Likud had trailed the centre-left Zionist Union in opinion polls in the run-up to the poll. | Likud had trailed the centre-left Zionist Union in opinion polls in the run-up to the poll. |
Mr Netanyahu said the result was achieved "against all odds". | Mr Netanyahu said the result was achieved "against all odds". |
He urged the leaders of what he described as Israel's "national camp" to create "a government without delay". | He urged the leaders of what he described as Israel's "national camp" to create "a government without delay". |
However, the centre-left Zionist Union dismissed what it termed "spin" from Likud as "premature". | However, the centre-left Zionist Union dismissed what it termed "spin" from Likud as "premature". |
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 |
Mr Herzog told his supporters he was confident of forming the next government. | Mr 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." |
Final results are not expected until Wednesday morning. | Final results are not expected until Wednesday morning. |
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. |
He says Mr Netanyahu's premature declaration of victory was based on his confidence that he has more allies among the smaller parties than Mr Herzog. | He says Mr Netanyahu's premature declaration of victory was based on his confidence that he has more allies among the smaller parties than Mr Herzog. |
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 suggest. | The Joint Arab List, an alliance of Israeli Arab-dominated parties, has come third with about 13 seats, the exit polls suggest. |
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? |