With vast majority of votes counted, Gantz tied on overall votes, but Netanyahu has clear path to a coalition.
By Loveday Morris and Loveday Morris Jerusalem bureau chief covering the Middle East Email Bio Follow Ruth Eglash Ruth Eglash Reporter covering Israel and the Palestinian territories Email Bio Follow April 10 at 12:50 PM BREAKING: The Blue and White party, headed by former military chief Benny Gantz, announced its defeat as it appeared there was no way it could form a 61-seat majority needed for power in Israel’s 120-seat Knesset.
Meanwhile, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin said he would wait until next week to gather recommendations from party leaders on who they want to lead the next government, leaving ample time for political jockeying. Netanyahu had presented the election as a referendum on his leadership. His victory speech, delivered with a beaming smile early on Wednesday, showed he believed he had won a new mandate, despite the prospect he could soon be indicted by the attorney general in three corruption cases.
The two main ultra-orthodox slates appear to have won a total of 16 seats, up from 13 seats in the outgoing Knesset, while an extreme right-wing alliance that includes the Jewish Power party, followers of the outlawed Rabbi Meir Kahane, won five. Analysts said Netanyahu will be trading ministerial positions for support regardless of whether or not he’s indicted.
Israel’s left-wing was decimated after the split in the Zionist Union, which had brought together the Labor Party and former foreign minister Tzipi Livni’s Hatnuah. While the Zionist Union had previously held 24 seats, Labor running alone won just six, according to partial results. Left-wing Meretz won four.
“The second is without a doubt the recognition of the hope we delivered to the Israeli people and society,” he said. The party of right-wing Education Minister Naftali Bennett looked like it may not reach the minimum 3.25 percent of the vote needed to enter the Knesset, though military votes had not been fully counted.
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