Israel election: Netanyahu claims victory after exit polls show narrow lead

(FASTNEWS | Israel elections 2019) – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed victory in Israel’s general election, after exit polls put him ahead of his main rival Benny Gantz.

Three projections gave Mr Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party 36 or 37 seats, and Mr Gantz’s centrist Blue and White alliance between 32 and 34.

However, the polls suggested Likud and its right-wing allies might fall just short of a majority in parliament.

Monday’s election was Israel’s third in less than a year.

Neither of the two main party leaders was able to command a majority in the 120-seat parliament following the last two rounds.

Mr Netanyahu, 70, is Israel’s longest-serving leader. He is seeking a record fifth term, having been in office from 1996 to 1999 and again from 2009.

The election took place two weeks before the prime minister is due in court to face corruption charges, which he denies.

What do the exit polls suggest?

Pre-election opinion polls suggested Likud and Blue and White were more or less tied, with neither Mr Netanyahu nor Mr Gantz sure of a clear path to victory.

But the exit polls published by Israel’s three main broadcasters indicated Likud was on course to win between three to five more seats than Blue and White.

The Joint List alliance of Arab parties was projected to get 14 or 15 seats; the ultra-Orthodox parties Shas and United Torah Judaism 16 or 17 between them; the nationalist Yisrael Beitenu party six or seven; the right-wing Yamina alliance six or seven; and the centre-left Labour-Gesher-Meretz list six or seven.

If the exit polls are accurate, it would mean that Likud and its right-wing allies end up with 59 or 60 seats – one or two seats shy of a majority in parliament.

The initial results are expected on Tuesday, and exit polls have displayed inaccuracies in the past. (Courtesy – BBC)