Israel election news - live: Early results suggest victory for Netanyahu
Latest updates as results from Israel's third election in a year come in
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Israelis have voted in an unprecedented third general election in under a year, which polls predict will end in yet another political deadlock.
Benjamin Netanyahu held a solid edge over his main rival, exit polls indicated Monday night, but it was unclear whether he can clinch the parliamentary majority needed to claim victory.
If the official results match the exit polls, Mr Netanyahu would receive a major boost ahead of his trial on corruption charges, set to begin March 17.
More than 6.4 million people are eligible to cast their vote in polling stations that will close at 10pm on Monday, with 14 special stations created for those quarantined over coronavirus.
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Good afternoon, and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of the Israeli elections
Netanyahu fights to stay in power as voting gets underway
Benjamin Netanyahu is battling to stay in power just days before the start of his corruption trial, our middle east correspondent, Bel Trew reports.
Since April, Mr Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, has failed twice to form a ruling coalition following two previous inconclusive votes.
President Rivlin feels 'deep shame' for repeated elections
Casting his ballot, president Reuven Rivlin said he felt “deep shame” for Israel's repeated elections.
“I’ve participated in nearly every election and it’s always been a festive day for israeli democracy," he said.
"Today I must say I feel no sense of festivity. I feel ashamed in front of you, dear citizens of Israel… We don’t deserve this. We don’t deserve another horrible and filthy campaign like the one that ends today and we don’t deserve this endless instability. We deserve a government that will work for us.”
Why is Israel in political deadlock?
Israel is on the brink of its third election in just 12 months after facing an unprecedented electoral deadlock, our reporter Louise Hall writes.
Here’s everything you need to know about the contentious election:
Netanyahu: 'The corona thing is completely under control'
Benjamin Netanyahu tried to reassure voters over coronavirus fears as he cast his vote, our middle east correspondent, Bel Trew reports.
“The corona thing is completely under control," Netanyahu said. "Today we’ve taken all the precautions that are necessary, people can go and vote, with complete confidence.”
More than 10 special polling stations have created for those quarantined due to exposure to the coronavirus.
Jaded Israelis convinced of another political deadlock
Diplomats have told The Independent they are so convinced of another political deadlock as a result of the election, they are preparing for a fourth and fifth vote.
These votes would push into 2021 and mean the country had been operating with a caretaker government for three years, our middle east correspondent, Bel Trew reports.
Gantz: 'I hope that today marks the start of a healing process'
Netanyahu’s main rival Benny Gantz, voted this morning in Rosh HaAyin, joined by his wife, Revital.
“I hope that today marks the start of a healing process, where we can begin living together again," he said.
I urge everyone to get out and vote. Don’t get drawn in by the lies or by the violence. Over this past stretch, I’ve met with thousands of people, and I’m hopeful that today we can set Israel on a new course.”
Electoral commission reports highest voter turnout since 1999
Israel’s elections commission has recorded a 21-year voter turnout record, our middle east correspondent, Bel Trew reports.
It comes despite fears voter fatigue and concerns about the coronavirus would keep people at home.
According to Israeli media, by 6pm local time 56.3 per cent of Israelis have voted, the highest turnout for that hour since 1999. Polling stations are due to shut at 10pm.
Israeli voters furious at endless elections
Across Israel, a sense of desperation appears to have to driven voters to the polling booths, our middle east correspondent, Bel Trew writes. But the enthusiasm to vote did not mask the anger.
"For them, it’s a shameful game of musical seats in parliament. For us, it’s our lives," one voter said.
'I think the fact we’ve had 3 elections in a year only says good things'
Yasmin Farhadian, 31, a doctor in Tel Aviv told The Independent she is voting Likud as Netanyahu is the “best prime minister Israel has ever had”.
She dismissed the corruption trials against Netanyahu, saying that rather than it being a sign of a problem in Israel it showed how strong the country’s democracy is.
Volunteers sort election posters with the portrait of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu (AFP)“I think something is different with this election this time. I think people understand this is it. Now this time, there’s the feeling that if people [Likud supporters] don’t go out to vote, it just won’t happen. That there really will be an opportunity for [the Left] to take over.
“In terms of the indictments against Netanyahu, it really doesn’t seem to me like bribery."
"I think the fact we’ve had 3 elections in a year only says good things. We’re devoted to our democracy. And that shows with these elections but also that we are able to put our prime minister on trial. There are people who are crying about it, but it’s not that in the past there wasn’t corruption. There was, we just didn’t know about it. And they didn’t do anything about it.”
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