After Israel's tight election, who matters and what happens next?
Skip to main content
  • Home
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Features
    • Book Review
    • Brands
    • Earth
    • Explorer
    • Fact Check
    • Family
    • Food
    • Game Reviews
    • Good Practices
    • Habitat
    • Humour
    • In Focus
    • Luxury
    • Mode
    • Panorama
    • Pursuit
    • Wealth
    • Wellbeing
    • Wheels
  • Epaper
  • More
    • Subscribe
    • Videos
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • COVID-19
    • Games
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Podcast
    • Quiz
    • Tech
    • Trial By Trivia
    • Magazine
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Wednesday
February 08, 2023

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Home
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Features
    • Book Review
    • Brands
    • Earth
    • Explorer
    • Fact Check
    • Family
    • Food
    • Game Reviews
    • Good Practices
    • Habitat
    • Humour
    • In Focus
    • Luxury
    • Mode
    • Panorama
    • Pursuit
    • Wealth
    • Wellbeing
    • Wheels
  • Epaper
  • More
    • Subscribe
    • Videos
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • COVID-19
    • Games
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Podcast
    • Quiz
    • Tech
    • Trial By Trivia
    • Magazine
  • বাংলা
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 08, 2023
After Israel's tight election, who matters and what happens next?

Politics

Reuters
24 March, 2021, 08:55 am
Last modified: 24 March, 2021, 09:02 am

Related News

  • Tens of thousands of Israelis protest against justice reform plans
  • UN urges end to 'illogic of escalation' between Israel, Palestinians
  • Netanyahu would consider Ukraine-Russia mediator role if asked - CNN interview
  • In West Bank, Blinken presses for two-state solution
  • Israel and Palestinians risk deeper conflict in a distracted world

After Israel's tight election, who matters and what happens next?

The right-wing bloc led by Netanyahu’s Likud party had a slight edge but was in a tight race with a grouping of centre, left and right-wing parties looking to unseat him

Reuters
24 March, 2021, 08:55 am
Last modified: 24 March, 2021, 09:02 am
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a nomination ceremony at the President's residency in Jerusalem, September 25, 2019/ Reuters
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a nomination ceremony at the President's residency in Jerusalem, September 25, 2019/ Reuters

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to secure a solid parliamentary majority in Israel's election, according to TV exit polls early on Wednesday which predicted no clear winner.

The right-wing bloc led by Netanyahu's Likud party had a slight edge but was in a tight race with a grouping of centre, left and right-wing parties looking to unseat him.

Who Are The Main Players?

NETANYAHU is the most dominant Israeli politician of his generation. He campaigned on Israel's world-beating Covid-19 vaccine rollout, but also ran under a cloud of corruption allegations. A polarising figure, he has denied all wrongdoing in his corruption trial which is set to resume in April.

In the last three elections he faced rivals from the left. But this time he was also up against right-wing contenders. And while his stewardship of the vaccination campaign drew praise, critics accuse him of mismanaging the pandemic during lockdowns that hit Israel's economy hard.

YAIR LAPID, 57, a former finance minister and TV host who leads the centre-left party Yesh Atid - "There is a Future".

His party is predicted to come second. Lapid campaigned to "bring sanity" back to Israel with clean government and moderate leadership. He hopes to achieve what seems almost impossible and unite half a dozen disparate parties from across the political spectrum. All want to see Netanyahu removed but are not obvious bedfellows.

NAFTALI BENNETT, 48, a former Netanyahu aide, defence minister and high-tech millionaire who heads the ultra-hawkish Yamina party and is vying to be the next leader of the Israeli right.

Though his party is predicted to take only 7 seats, Bennett has positioned himself as a potential king-maker, refusing to commit to Netanyahu or against him. Some analysts believe he is more likely to back his fellow conservative, Netanyahu.

GIDEON SAAR, 54, a former cabinet minister who quit Likud to set up the New Hope party, vowing to end Netanyahu's reign.

Like Likud his party opposes Palestinian statehood. Saar's campaign centred on clean government and jump-starting the economy. New Hope is predicted to win only about 6 seats but he is seen as a highly-skilled politician in the anti-Netanyahu camp who could perhaps help bring together factions from across the left-right spectrum.

What About The Actual Results?

The final tally is expected by Friday, but the numbers are updated as vote-counting proceeds, so a clearer picture will emerge as exit polls give way to results.

It takes a long time to count because Israel uses paper ballots and 4.5 million Israelis voted.

A party must pass a threshold of 3.25% of the votes to enter parliament. Around 12 parties have a real chance of qualifying.

What Happens After The Results Are Published?

Israel's president will consult with party leaders about their preference for prime minister. By April 7 he is expected to choose the legislator with the best chance of putting together a coalition.

That nominee has up to 42 days to form a government. If he or she fails, the president asks another politician to try.

How Long Until A Government Is In Place?

No party has ever won an outright majority. Coalition negotiations often drag on for weeks.

Top News / World+Biz

Israel / Israel politics / Israel Election / Benjamin Netanyahu / Netanyahu / Explainer

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • RMG turns to India from China to get cheaper man-made yarn
    RMG turns to India from China to get cheaper man-made yarn
  • Country's revenue earnings were Tk40,000cr more in last fiscal: Finance Minister
    Country's revenue earnings were Tk40,000cr more in last fiscal: Finance Minister
  • The world's richest person is trying to head off a succession battle
    The world's richest person is trying to head off a succession battle

MOST VIEWED

  • President Joe Biden delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress at the Capitol, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023, in Washington. Jacquelyn Martin/Pool via REUTERS
    Biden in State of the Union address vows to 'finish the job'
  • Pakistan's former President, Pervez Musharraf, addresses his supporters after his arrival from Dubai at Jinnah International airport in Karachi March 24, 2013. Musharraf returned home on Sunday after nearly four years of self-imposed exile to contest elections despite the possibility of arrest and a threat from the Taliban to kill him. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro
    Pakistan's Musharraf, military ruler who allied with the US and promoted moderate Islam
  • Robert Harrison, 96, arrives to vote while wearing a mask to prevent exposure to novel coronavirus, in Hamilton, Ohio, US, March 12, 2020/ Reuters
    Democrats approve 2024 presidential primary shakeup
  • U.S. President Joe Biden holds a news conference following his meeting with Chinese president Xi Jinping, ahead of the G20 leaders' summit, in Bali, Indonesia, November 14, 2022. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
    Biden sounds ready to seek 2nd term while rallying Democrats
  • US President Joe Biden descends from Air Force One at Ben Gurion International Airport in Lod, near Tel Aviv, Israel, July 13, 2022. REUTERS/Ammar Awad/
    Biden, Cabinet visiting 20 states after State of the Union
  • FILE PHOTO: A group of women hold torches as they protest against the military coup in Yangon, Myanmar July 14, 2021. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo
    Myanmar junta imposes tough new measures on resistance strongholds

Related News

  • Tens of thousands of Israelis protest against justice reform plans
  • UN urges end to 'illogic of escalation' between Israel, Palestinians
  • Netanyahu would consider Ukraine-Russia mediator role if asked - CNN interview
  • In West Bank, Blinken presses for two-state solution
  • Israel and Palestinians risk deeper conflict in a distracted world

Features

Illustration: TBS

Planning to study abroad? Explore these four underrated scholarships

14m | Pursuit
Photo: Reuters

A tragedy that will also shake up the region's geopolitics

13h | Panorama
Nimah designed by Compass Architects- Wooden tiles. Photo: Junaid Hasan Pranto

Trendy flooring designs to upgrade any space

1d | Habitat
Benefits of having high ceilings in your new home

Benefits of having high ceilings in your new home

23h | Habitat

More Videos from TBS

30% companies see double-digit growth even in hard times

30% companies see double-digit growth even in hard times

15h | TBS Insight
Challenging time waiting for RMG

Challenging time waiting for RMG

22h | TBS Round Table
"Full Moon Meditation" organized by Department of Theater and Performance Studies, University of Dhaka

"Full Moon Meditation" organized by Department of Theater and Performance Studies, University of Dhaka

22h | TBS Graduates
10 cricketers who have played over 400 T20 matches

10 cricketers who have played over 400 T20 matches

22h | TBS SPORTS

Most Read

1
Photo: Courtesy
Panorama

From 'Made in Bangladesh' to 'Designed in Bangladesh'

2
Master plan for futuristic Chattogram city in the making
Districts

Master plan for futuristic Chattogram city in the making

3
Photo: Collected
Crime

Prime Distribution MD Mamun arrested in fraud case

4
Leepu realised his love for cars from a young age and for the last 40 years, he has transformed, designed and customised hundreds of cars. Photo: Collected
Panorama

'I am not crazy about cars anymore': Nizamuddin Awlia Leepu

5
Photo: Collected
Startups

ShopUp secures $30m debt financing to boost expansion, supply chain

6
ICB to withdraw Padma Bank investment as return eludes
Banking

ICB to withdraw Padma Bank investment as return eludes

EMAIL US
[email protected]
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2023
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - [email protected]

For advertisement- [email protected]