There are 40 lists competing, but only a third are expected to clear the 3.25 percent hurdle. According to the latest polls, there could be another stalemate between the camp of former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his opponents.
Netanyahu’s right-wing conservative Likud party is expected to once again become the strongest force in parliament, the Knesset. However, this does not guarantee him the formation of a stable coalition. The camp of the current head of government Yair Lapid and his future party includes parties from the right to the left spectrum. Lapid, 58, has spoken out in favor of establishing an independent Palestinian state. What unites his camp above all is the will to prevent Netanyahu from returning. Corruption proceedings are pending against the 73-year-old.
Around 18,000 police officers are on duty on election day to ensure the security of the 6.8 million eligible voters nationwide. In the past few weeks, confrontations with Palestinians and attacks have increased, particularly in the occupied West Bank.
Source: Nachrichten
