Jerusalem (AsiaNews) - At least 5.8 million Israelis go to the polls today in what looks like a balanced standoff between the outgoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of the Likud and the Zionist center-right alliance, led by Isaac Herzog and Tzipi Livni.
The polling
stations opened at 7 this morning and will close at 22 (local time). Almost
certainly the two parties will have only a quarter of the 120 seats in the
Knesset (parliament), opening up government to alliances with other small
parties.
Netanyahu's election campaign was dominated by the issue of security, the
Islamic State threat and Iran. Yesterday the outgoing premier even vowed that
if he is re-elected there will be no Palestinian State. But his campaign has
been dogged by the accusations he and his wife lead a high life on the back of
public spending.
The Zionist
Union instead led a campaign focused on domestic issues: a struggling economy,
high prices, unemployment and promised to rehabilitate relations with Palestine
and the international community.
Polls put the Zionist Union in the lead by 3-4 seats over Likud, but the latter
perhaps more likely to form an alliance of parties to secure a majority.
Some days ago, a radio poll gave the Israeli Zionist Union 25 seats; 21 to
Likud; 13 to Arab parties. 11 seats to the Jewish House (HaBayit HaYehud,
Zionist religious) and 11 to the Yesh Atid (a middle class party).