This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-56504661

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Israel election: Exit polls favour Netanyahu bloc Israel election: Netanyahu claims 'huge win' for right-wing parties
(about 1 hour later)
The election has been widely seen as a referendum on Benjamin Netanyahu's leadershipThe election has been widely seen as a referendum on Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party is on track to win the most seats in Israel's fourth election in two years but may struggle to secure a majority coalition, exit polls suggest. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed a "huge win" for the right in Israel's fourth election in two years, though exit polls suggest he may fail to secure a majority in parliament.
Likud and allied right-wing and religious parties are projected to win 53 or 54 seats in the 120-seat Knesset. Mr Netanyahu's Likud party and its allies are projected to get 53 or 54 seats in the 120-seat Knesset.
Parties opposed to the prime minister staying in office are set for 59 seats. Parties opposed to the prime minister staying in office look set to win 59.
It means the nationalist Yamina party led of former Netanyahu loyalist Naftali Bennett could act as kingmaker. It means the nationalist Yamina party led by former Netanyahu loyalist Naftali Bennett could act as kingmaker.
It is forecast to win seven or eight seats and has not explicitly declared which side it will support.It is forecast to win seven or eight seats and has not explicitly declared which side it will support.
"I will do only what is good for the state of Israel," Mr Bennett was quoted as saying by a spokesman after the exit polls were released. "I will do only what is good for the State of Israel," Mr Bennett said in a statement after the exit polls were released.
The Central Elections Committee does not expect all of the votes to be counted before Wednesday afternoon due to coronavirus-related restrictions. He added that he had told Mr Netanyahu that Yamina would await the final results before deciding on its next steps.
Israel's Central Elections Committee does not expect all of the votes to be counted before Wednesday afternoon due to coronavirus-related restrictions.
Election hopes and fears play out in crater townElection hopes and fears play out in crater town
Israel's commando-turned-PMIsrael's commando-turned-PM
No party leaders were able to form a stable coalition after the previous three general elections. "Israeli citizens - thank you," Mr Netanyahu tweeted late on Tuesday. "You gave a huge win to the right and Likud under my leadership. Likud is the biggest party by far."
"It's clear most Israelis are right-wing, and want a strong, stable right-wing government," he added.
Just over 67.2% of those eligible cast their ballots in the election, which was widely seen as a referendum on Mr Netanyahu's leadership.
The 71-year-old prime minister has been in power continuously since 2009, having served an earlier three-year term in the late 1990s.
His campaign focused on Israel's world-leading Covid-19 vaccination programme and his diplomatic success in normalising ties with some Arab countries.
But his opponents from across the political spectrum argued that he should not remain in office while standing trial on corruption charges. He denies any wrongdoing.
After the previous three elections neither Mr Netanyahu nor his rivals were able to form a stable governing coalition.
The current national unity government, which was the result of a power-sharing deal with Defence Minister Benny Gantz, collapsed in December after just seven months.The current national unity government, which was the result of a power-sharing deal with Defence Minister Benny Gantz, collapsed in December after just seven months.
Tuesday's election was widely seen as a referendum on Mr Netanyahu's leadership. Mr Gantz, whose Blue and White party is projected by the exit polls to win seven seats, said on Tuesday that he would "do everything I can to unite to pro-change bloc" - a reference to those wanting a new prime minister.
His campaign focused on Israel's world-leading Covid-19 vaccination campaign and his diplomatic success in normalising ties with some Arab countries.
But his opponents from across the political spectrum argue that he should not remain in office while he is on trial for corruption. He denies any wrongdoing.