Israel election — live: Exit polls suggest deadlock despite Netanyahu gaining most seats

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Israel holds 4th parliamentary election in two years

Exit polls indicate there is no clear winner in the Israeli election, signalling continued political deadlock.

The polls on Israel‘s three main TV stations showed current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his religious and nationalist allies, as well as diverse array of opponents, both falling short of a parliamentary majority.

That could set the stage for weeks of paralysis and even an unprecedented fifth consecutive election.

Tuesday marked Israel’s fourth election in two years, after two deadlocked elections and the breakdown of a national unity government formed in May 2020.

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Key Points

• Israel election exit polls suggest deadlock despite Netanyahu gaining most seats
• Polls open in ‘referendum on Netanyahu’s leadership'
• Netanyahu pins hope on vaccination record in fourth election in two years
• Netanyahu calls vote a ‘festival of democracy'
• Pick us or end up with a ‘racist’ government, says Lapid
• ‘Hopefully we can get rid of Bibi’, Israeli voter says

[23 March 2021 07:44 · Rory Sullivan]

Morning, and welcome to The Independent’s rolling coverage of the Israeli election.