REPORT: Early elections in Israel yield Netanyahu narrow victory

Exit polls showed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud Party and his hard-line allies have won a narrow majority in parliamentary elections.

In an election on Tuesday far closer than polls forecast, Netanyahu's Likud Party captured just 31 seats, well below expectations. But with his hard-line and religious allies, he would still be able to form a narrow majority in the 120-seat parliament, according to the exit polls.

In the biggest surprise, the centrist "Yesh Atid," party headed by political newcomer Yair Lapid captured as many as 19 seats, well above the forecasts. That would position Lapid to become either opposition leader or seek a major Cabinet post if he decides to join Netanyahu's governing coalition.Netanyahu's campaign manager, Gideon Saar, says he hopes to form a broad coalition.                     

An atmosphere of anxiety and tensions prevailed over the elections which were held 10 months prior to their set date upon the decision of Prime Minister Netanyahu.

5,700,000 voters have the right to vote including 750,000 Palestinians who fled in 1948. Over one million voters previously announced that they will abstain from voting amid a tight competition between 32 blocs 20 of which are expected to fail.                        

In contrast to Netanyahu’s calculations, fear and cautiousness ruled over the elections as opinion polls showed an unexpected decline for his Likud party. Criticism and fear over the status of his upcoming government were voiced from the right wing and from inside his party, prompting activists from all rival parties to double their efforts to convince the highest proportion of voters to head to the ballot boxes in hopes of increasing participation.                  


AP/LBCI