First election results in Israel: Netanyahu and Gantz tied again

(Patria) – The result of 92% of votes counted after the closing of polling stations in Israel indicates an expected, almost equal result for the right-wing Likud (Netanyahu) and the centrist Blue and White (Gantz).

The result, which still awaits the counting of the remaining votes, is 32 seats in parliament for Likud and the same for Blue and White (Kahol Lavan), which will ultimately make forming a government difficult again, which was also the reason for holding a second election in one year.

After the repeated failure to win majority support, Netanyahu vowed to form a 'strong, Zionist government that will reflect the views of the majority of the nation...', and he also said that only he is capable of fighting the threat from Iran.

Gantz stated that his party will not enter a government as long as Netanyahu is there, citing the prime minister's legal troubles. As a partnership with Gantz is the only way for Likud to remain in power, it is speculated that prominent Likud members might decide to oust Netanyahu.

Bibi (as Netanyahu is called in Israel) can blame corruption charges for the drop in his popularity, as well as the political conflict with secular Avigdor Lieberman regarding military service for ultra-Orthodox (Yeshiva) students.

Avigdor Lieberman's secular and nationalist party Yisrael Beiteinu won 9 seats in the Knesset in the first count, the same as the ultra-Orthodox Shas. The rise of the Labor Party, which won 6 seats, is interesting, while the Democratic Union won one less.