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Israel election: Netanyahu and Gantz on course for dead heat Israel election: Netanyahu set for record fifth term
(32 minutes later)
Israel's general election is on course for a dead heat with nearly all votes counted, local media report. PM Benjamin Netanyahu is likely to secure a record fifth term after almost complete results from Israel's election suggest a new right-wing coalition.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party and the centrist Blue and White alliance are projected to win 35 seats each. His Likud party is expected to finish with a similar number of seats as ex-military chief Benny Gantz's centrist Blue and White alliance.
The outcome puts Mr Netanyahu in a strong position to form a right-wing coalition government. But Likud and right-wing allies are set to be the largest bloc with 65 seats in the 120-seat Knesset, local media said.
No party has ever won a majority in Israel's 120-seat parliament and it has always had coalition governments. The 69-year-old premier is facing corruption allegations.
However, the election result means he could become Israel's longest-serving prime minister later this year, overtaking Israel's founding father David Ben-Gurion.
Exit polls had predicted a tight race with no clear winner, prompting both Mr Netanyahu and Blue and White leader Benny Gantz to claim victory on Tuesday night.Exit polls had predicted a tight race with no clear winner, prompting both Mr Netanyahu and Blue and White leader Benny Gantz to claim victory on Tuesday night.
"We won! The Israeli public has had its say!" Blue and White said in a statement. "These elections have a clear winner and a clear loser." "It will be a right-wing government, but I will be prime minister for all," Mr Netanyahu told cheering supporters.
But at his party's election headquarters in Tel Aviv, Mr Netanyahu was also celebrating. "I'm very touched that the people of Israel gave me their vote of confidence for the fifth time, and an even bigger vote of confidence than previous elections.
"It is a night of colossal victory," he said. "I'm very touched that, for the fifth time, the people of Israel have believed in me." "I intend to be the prime minister of all citizens of Israel. Right, left, Jews, non-Jews. All of Israel's citizens."
The success of other right-wing parties appears to have put Mr Netanyahu in pole position to form a coalition and clinch a record fifth term in office. No party has ever won a majority in Israel's 120-seat parliament and it has always had coalition governments.
That would see him overtake Israel's founding father David Ben-Gurion as its longest-serving prime minister.
What's the background?What's the background?
Mr Netanyahu, 69, put forward tough messages on security ahead of the vote and it soon became one of the election's key issues.Mr Netanyahu, 69, put forward tough messages on security ahead of the vote and it soon became one of the election's key issues.
He also made a significant announcement in the final days of the campaign, suggesting a new government would annex Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank.He also made a significant announcement in the final days of the campaign, suggesting a new government would annex Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank.
The settlements are considered illegal under international law, although Israel disputes this.The settlements are considered illegal under international law, although Israel disputes this.
Mr Netanyahu is also facing allegations of corruption which he denies. He says he is a victim of a political "witch hunt" designed to influence the election. Mr Netanyahu denied the allegations of corruption against him, saying he was a victim of a political "witch hunt" designed to influence the election.
In a separate controversy on Tuesday, Israeli Arab politicians condemned his Likud party for sending 1,200 observers equipped with hidden body cameras to polling stations in Arab communities.In a separate controversy on Tuesday, Israeli Arab politicians condemned his Likud party for sending 1,200 observers equipped with hidden body cameras to polling stations in Arab communities.
The Arab alliance, Hadash-Taal, said it was an "illegal" action that sought to intimidate Arabs. Likud said it wanted to ensure only "valid votes" were cast.The Arab alliance, Hadash-Taal, said it was an "illegal" action that sought to intimidate Arabs. Likud said it wanted to ensure only "valid votes" were cast.
Mr Netanyahu's main challenger, Mr Gantz, is a retired lieutenant-general who formed the Blue and White in February, promising to unite a country that had "lost its way".Mr Netanyahu's main challenger, Mr Gantz, is a retired lieutenant-general who formed the Blue and White in February, promising to unite a country that had "lost its way".
The 59-year-old former chief of staff of the Israeli military has rivalled Mr Netanyahu's tough stance on security and has promised cleaner politics. The 59-year-old former chief of staff of the Israeli military rivalled Mr Netanyahu's tough stance on security and promised cleaner politics.
Mr Gantz's campaign platform referred to "separation" from the Palestinians but did not specifically mention them having an independent state. It also called for continued control over the Jordan Valley and retaining West Bank settlement blocs.Mr Gantz's campaign platform referred to "separation" from the Palestinians but did not specifically mention them having an independent state. It also called for continued control over the Jordan Valley and retaining West Bank settlement blocs.