Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confronts a close battle on Tuesday to reclaim power in an election that might hinge on support from a far-right party whose leaders call for the expulsion of people deemed disloyal to Israel.
With the country going through its fifth election in less than four years, voter exasperation may hurt turnout, but surging support for the ultranationalist Religious Zionism bloc and firebrand co-leader Itamar Ben-Gvir has galvanized the race.
The latest election follows the collapse of the coalition government headed by Caretaker Prime Minister Yair Lapid, who was successful in ousting Benjamin Netanyahu last year. Netanyahu, who has been prime minister of Israel for the longest time, is currently facing corruption allegations, which he denies, but his right-wing Likud party is still anticipated to end up with the most seats in parliament.
However, according to final polls released last week, he is still short of the 61 seats required for a majority in the 120-seat Knesset. This raises the possibility of more elections as well as weeks of coalition negotiations.
With the country going through its fifth election in less than four years, voter exasperation may hurt turnout, but surging support for the ultranationalist Religious Zionism bloc and firebrand co-leader Itamar Ben-Gvir has galvanized the race.
The latest election follows the collapse of the coalition government headed by Caretaker Prime Minister Yair Lapid, who was successful in ousting Benjamin Netanyahu last year. Netanyahu, who has been prime minister of Israel for the longest time, is currently facing corruption allegations, which he denies, but his right-wing Likud party is still anticipated to end up with the most seats in parliament.
However, according to final polls released last week, he is still short of the 61 seats required for a majority in the 120-seat Knesset. This raises the possibility of more elections as well as weeks of coalition negotiations.
