Israel has begun voting in its fourth parliamentary election in just two years. Once again, the race boils down to a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Key Points
- Netanyahu has served as prime minister of the country for the past 12 years.
- Now he hopes voters will reward him for leading the country’s successful coronavirus vaccine rollout and his diplomatic outreach to the Arab world.
- His challengers have highlighted his earlier missteps in battling the coronavirus pandemic, his reliance on divisive religious and ultra-nationalist allies, and his ongoing corruption trial.
- As per the opinion polls, a tough race is expected.
- That raises the possibility of continued deadlock and even an unprecedented fifth consecutive election.
- Yet Netanyahu appears to hold a slight advantage.
- Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. and exit polls are expected at the end of the voting day at 10 p.m.
- Around 6.6 million citizens are eligible to vote for the 24th Knesset.
Background
The national unity government formed in May 2020 by Netanyahu and his rival-turned-ally-turned-rival-again, Benny Gantz collapsed in December. The two had struck a power-sharing agreement that would have seen Gantz take over as prime minister in November 2021, but the parliament automatically dissolved after the government failed to pass a budget by a legally mandated deadline.
