12:41 Beirut Time Most polling stations close at 10 pm, but putting together a coalition could take weeks or months Final results could take days to trickle in and it is highly unlikely that any single party will come close to the 61 seats needed for a majority in the 120-member parliament.Cobbling together any coalition could take weeks or months, with possible new elections on the horizon if negotiations fail. 12:37 Beirut Time Netanyahu urges Israelis to vote 'the right way' as he casts ballot Benjamin Netanyahu, 77, has served as Israel's prime minister on and off for more than 19 years. The wily political operator focused heavily on his security credentials during his campaign, playing up his relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump, and insisting he is the only one who can keep Israelis safe.One of the biggest criticisms leveled against Netanyahu within Israel is his failure to take responsibility for Oct. 7, the deadliest day in the country's history. 11:51 Beirut Time Eisenkot’s Yashar warns of ‘systematic attempt’ to sabotage voting, with its ballot slips being removed, files complaint with CEC Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party says it has filed an urgent complaint with the Central Elections Committee following further reports of its ballot slips being removed, defaced, or turned over at polling stations across the country.“The large number of incidents raises serious suspicions that these are not isolated mishaps, but rather a systematic and deliberate attempt to sabotage the democratic process, prevent citizens from exercising their right to vote and influence the election results,” the party says.“Anyone who tries to steal ballot slips is trying to steal the election,” it adds. “This is a serious violation of election integrity and the fundamental right of Israeli citizens to vote.”The party calls on the CEC to intervene immediately, conduct frequent inspections at polling stations, and replenish missing ballot slips. 11:24 Beirut Time Central Election Committee: Voter turnout reaches 16.68% by 10 a.m., up from 15.9% in 2022 According to Haaretz, the Central Election Committee said that the voter turnout at 10 a.m. has reached 16.68%, or about 1.2 million people. This marks an increase from the 15.9% turnout at the same time in 2022. 11:23 Beirut Time Netanyahu reaffirms rejection of Palestinian state; Eisenkot accuses government of shirking its responsibilities “The real issue at stake in these elections is the right or Palestine”: Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed this morning his rejection of the creation of a Palestinian state in a campaign video filmed in the Peduel settlement in the West Bank, reports Haaretz. His main rival, Gadi Eisenkot, began his day at the kibbutz Nir Oz, which was severely affected by the Oct. 7, 2023, attack where he accused the government of continuing to “shirk its responsibilities.," according to the Times of Israel.Netanyahu boasted of having “confronted three U.S. presidents” to prevent the creation of a Palestinian state. He also attacked Gadi Eisenkot, claiming that, in order to form his coalition, Eisenkot would need the support of Mansour Abbas, leader of the Ra’am party, and the Arab parties, as well as that of Yair Golan, “who says a Palestinian state must be created,” and Avigdor Lieberman, “who has stated that the Jordanian army should be allowed to enter here.”Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, accompanied by former hostage Gadi Mozes, who had been held in Gaza by Hamas, accused Netanyahu and his government of “continuing to shirk their responsibilities” regarding the failings that had enabled the attack carried out by Hamas. “If a single member of the government had even a shred of a sense of responsibility, they would have started their morning here, in the communities bordering Gaza,” he said. 11:20 Beirut Time Netanyahu and Eisenkot neck and neck according to latest polls According to the latest polls, Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing and far-right coalition and the main opposition bloc led by former army chief Gadi Eisenkot are neck and neck. However, neither side appears capable of securing the majority of the seats in the Knesset (61), which suggests that lengthy negotiations will follow the election. 11:17 Beirut Time Catch up on our selection of articles on Israel's general elections: Letter to an Israeli voterIsrael’s election: What to watch forEisenkot or Netanyahu: What's at stake for Lebanon?Who are the leading candidates facing Netanyahu in Israel's election?Gadi Eisenkot, the 'thoughtful' military leader who could bring down NetanyahuBibi and the beast: Netanyahu’s Iran obsession and the remodeling of a region‘Apartheid is the lesser evil’: Israel’s Palestinians determined to turn the page on Netanyahu 11:05 Beirut Time Voters in Israel head to polls, with Netanyahu up against Eisenkot Voters in Israel head to the polls to elect 120 members of parliament, or the Knesset, in the first general vote since the start of the genocidal war against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip in October 2023.There are some 7.3 million people who can cast ballots today in Israel, including Jewish Israelis and Palestinian citizens of Israel. The roughly three million adult Palestinians in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, and occupied East Jerusalem have no right to vote for the government that has full control over their borders, movement, and legal status.The Israeli army has said that all land crossings in the occupied West Bank will be closed on election day. Most Israeli citizens living abroad also cannot vote as Israel has no general absentee ballot and requires voters to be physically in the country on election day.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s Likud Party and the far-right coalition it leads are facing off against an opposition bloc that includes the Yashar party, led by former army chief Gadi Eisenkot. Start your mornings with The Morning Brief, our flagship newsletter that brings you the latest from Lebanon and the region. Enjoy 7 days of free access when you create your account. Email Address Password I would like to receive special offers from L'Orient Today as well as selections of the best articles. Register By creating an account, you agree to the terms and conditions of use and our privacy policy. Register Or register with: Facebook
Already have an account? Login here Log in to your account to see the results of the polls E-mail Password Log in I forgot my password Log in with Facebook Log in with Google You have reached your article limitStay informed about a Middle East in crisis.Subscribe for $0.5/month for the first 3 months. Subscribe now Log in This article is only available to L’Orient Today subscribers. Subscribe now Log in Create a free account to continue reading this article. You’ll also receive The Morning Brief, our must-read daily digest of Middle East news. Opt out anytime Email Address Password Email Address Password I would like to receive special offers from L'Orient Today as well as selections of the best articles. Register By creating an account, you agree to the terms and conditions of use and our privacy policy. Register Or register with: Facebook
Already have an account? Login here
