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| Netanyahu fights for political life as surging critics pose election ‘danger’ | Netanyahu fights for political life as surging critics pose election ‘danger’ |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fought for his political life Tuesday, saying his hard-line government was “in danger” after a bruising election campaign in which voters shifted from security worries toward pocketbook concerns such as rising living costs. | JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fought for his political life Tuesday, saying his hard-line government was “in danger” after a bruising election campaign in which voters shifted from security worries toward pocketbook concerns such as rising living costs. |
| The alarm from Netanyahu reflected the tight margins in his bid to hold back a surging challenge from Labor Party leader Isaac Herzog, whose alliance appeared to hold an edge in pre-election polls. | The alarm from Netanyahu reflected the tight margins in his bid to hold back a surging challenge from Labor Party leader Isaac Herzog, whose alliance appeared to hold an edge in pre-election polls. |
| Netanyahu’s fate also could swing on turnout from Arab Israelis, who comprise about 20 percent of Israel’s population and widely oppose Netanyahu’s security-first policies — including his new pledge to oppose any negotiations that include possible Palestinian statehood. | Netanyahu’s fate also could swing on turnout from Arab Israelis, who comprise about 20 percent of Israel’s population and widely oppose Netanyahu’s security-first policies — including his new pledge to oppose any negotiations that include possible Palestinian statehood. |
| An umbrella group, the Joint List of Arab Parties, suggested that Arab Israeli turnout could be far higher than in the country’s last national elections in 2013. But other election watchers said it was too early to fully assess turnout figures from blocs such as Arab Israelis, who have full voting rights in contrast with Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. | |
| “The right-wing government is in danger,” Netanyahu said in video posted on Facebook. “Arab voters are coming out in droves to the polls.” | “The right-wing government is in danger,” Netanyahu said in video posted on Facebook. “Arab voters are coming out in droves to the polls.” |
| Also on voters’ minds is the direction of Israel’s deep political and security connections to the United States. | Also on voters’ minds is the direction of Israel’s deep political and security connections to the United States. |
| While the ties remain a pillar for both countries, Netanyahu has stirred nearly unprecedented challenges to the White House by opposing U.S. attempts to reach a deal with Iran to rein in Tehran’s nuclear program. | While the ties remain a pillar for both countries, Netanyahu has stirred nearly unprecedented challenges to the White House by opposing U.S. attempts to reach a deal with Iran to rein in Tehran’s nuclear program. |
| [Why Israel’s top hawk wants people to “stop apologizing”] | [Why Israel’s top hawk wants people to “stop apologizing”] |
| On Monday, Netanyahu raised the stakes in the confrontations with Washington by declaring there would be no chance of an independent Palestinian nation as long as he is prime minister. The two-state solution had been the basis of diplomatic efforts led by Secretary of State John F. Kerry. | On Monday, Netanyahu raised the stakes in the confrontations with Washington by declaring there would be no chance of an independent Palestinian nation as long as he is prime minister. The two-state solution had been the basis of diplomatic efforts led by Secretary of State John F. Kerry. |
| Israel’s 5.9 million eligible voters can choose among two dozen parties — ranging from big, established groups to fringe factions — for the 20th Knesset, or parliament. | Israel’s 5.9 million eligible voters can choose among two dozen parties — ranging from big, established groups to fringe factions — for the 20th Knesset, or parliament. |
| Opinion surveys on Friday showed Herzog and his running mate, former peace negotiator Tzipi Livni, with a slim lead in their bid to deny Netanyahu a historic fourth term in office. | Opinion surveys on Friday showed Herzog and his running mate, former peace negotiator Tzipi Livni, with a slim lead in their bid to deny Netanyahu a historic fourth term in office. |
| Herzog has gained momentum by portraying Netanyahu as too preoccupied with security issues, such as Iran’s nuclear program, at the expense of domestic issues such as rising grocery costs and soaring housing prices. | Herzog has gained momentum by portraying Netanyahu as too preoccupied with security issues, such as Iran’s nuclear program, at the expense of domestic issues such as rising grocery costs and soaring housing prices. |
| Election day is a national holiday in Israel, and the polls stay open until 10 p.m. (4 p.m. EDT). After the votes are tallied, it can take weeks of wheeling and dealing for a governing coalition to be formed among the parties. Usually the party with the most votes is asked to form the coalition, but not always. | Election day is a national holiday in Israel, and the polls stay open until 10 p.m. (4 p.m. EDT). After the votes are tallied, it can take weeks of wheeling and dealing for a governing coalition to be formed among the parties. Usually the party with the most votes is asked to form the coalition, but not always. |
| Herzog, casting his ballot in Tel Aviv, said “these elections are a decision between hope and change, and desperation and disappointment.” | Herzog, casting his ballot in Tel Aviv, said “these elections are a decision between hope and change, and desperation and disappointment.” |
| After he voted in Jerusalem, Netanyahu promised he would not be part of a possible unity government formed by his Likud Party and Herzog’s Labor. | After he voted in Jerusalem, Netanyahu promised he would not be part of a possible unity government formed by his Likud Party and Herzog’s Labor. |
| Netanyahu’s rejection of the Palestinian state, made on camera to an Israeli news Web site, appeared to reverse his previous declarations of support for a sovereign Palestinian state. | Netanyahu’s rejection of the Palestinian state, made on camera to an Israeli news Web site, appeared to reverse his previous declarations of support for a sovereign Palestinian state. |
| “I think that anyone who is going to establish a Palestinian state today and evacuate lands is giving attack grounds to the radical Islam against the state of Israel,” he said in a video interview published Monday on the NRG Web site. | “I think that anyone who is going to establish a Palestinian state today and evacuate lands is giving attack grounds to the radical Islam against the state of Israel,” he said in a video interview published Monday on the NRG Web site. |
| “Anyone who ignores this is sticking his head in the sand. The left does this time and time again,” Netanyahu said. “We are realistic and understand.” | “Anyone who ignores this is sticking his head in the sand. The left does this time and time again,” Netanyahu said. “We are realistic and understand.” |
| Netanyahu was then asked specifically whether he meant that a Palestinian state would not be established if he were reelected prime minister. He answered: “Correct.” | Netanyahu was then asked specifically whether he meant that a Palestinian state would not be established if he were reelected prime minister. He answered: “Correct.” |
| [A guide to the political parties battling for Israel’s future] | [A guide to the political parties battling for Israel’s future] |
| In a speech at Bar-Ilan University in 2009, Netanyahu famously said that he supported a two-state solution to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as long as Israeli conditions were met and Israel’s security was guaranteed. That speech and two rounds of U.S.-brokered peace talks since then led many to assume that the prime minister was prepared to see a Palestinian state arise in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. | In a speech at Bar-Ilan University in 2009, Netanyahu famously said that he supported a two-state solution to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as long as Israeli conditions were met and Israel’s security was guaranteed. That speech and two rounds of U.S.-brokered peace talks since then led many to assume that the prime minister was prepared to see a Palestinian state arise in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. |
| “I have no doubt that Bibi will win today,” said voter Marcel Muallem, using Netanyahu’s common nickname. | “I have no doubt that Bibi will win today,” said voter Marcel Muallem, using Netanyahu’s common nickname. |
| “Only Bibi, when it comes to the issue of security, he helps me sleep at night,” said Muallem, whose son was a soldier serving in Gaza during last summer’s 50-day war with Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that controls the enclave. “Security is the main issue.” | “Only Bibi, when it comes to the issue of security, he helps me sleep at night,” said Muallem, whose son was a soldier serving in Gaza during last summer’s 50-day war with Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that controls the enclave. “Security is the main issue.” |
| Across the parking lot in Jerusalem, supporters of Herzog’s Zionist Union were giving out stickers and baseball caps. | Across the parking lot in Jerusalem, supporters of Herzog’s Zionist Union were giving out stickers and baseball caps. |
| “I am sure he is the right person; he will a bring a change to Israel, there is no doubt,” said Ilana Berkovitz. “Herzog is serious and trustworthy.” | “I am sure he is the right person; he will a bring a change to Israel, there is no doubt,” said Ilana Berkovitz. “Herzog is serious and trustworthy.” |
| First-time voter Itamar Binaymin Lapidot, 18, also said that he was throwing his support behind Herzog. | First-time voter Itamar Binaymin Lapidot, 18, also said that he was throwing his support behind Herzog. |
| “I believe he has a good chance to change the country’s leadership. He’s a little bit weak but he is the best alternative to Bibi,” he said. | “I believe he has a good chance to change the country’s leadership. He’s a little bit weak but he is the best alternative to Bibi,” he said. |
| On Monday, Americans and Israelis were left unsure whether Netanyahu was just speaking off the cuff about Palestinian issues during an interview in the heat of a very close race or whether he was signaling a real change in policy. | On Monday, Americans and Israelis were left unsure whether Netanyahu was just speaking off the cuff about Palestinian issues during an interview in the heat of a very close race or whether he was signaling a real change in policy. |
| State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki declined to comment except to say, “There are many things said leading up to elections.” She added: “Obviously, our view continues to be that the only way to have peace and stability in the region is for there to be a two-state solution.” | State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki declined to comment except to say, “There are many things said leading up to elections.” She added: “Obviously, our view continues to be that the only way to have peace and stability in the region is for there to be a two-state solution.” |
| Erel Margalit, an opposition leader in the Labor Party, called Netanyahu’s statements “outrageous.” | Erel Margalit, an opposition leader in the Labor Party, called Netanyahu’s statements “outrageous.” |
| “It undermines the direction that Israel has declared it is striving for during the last three prime ministers,” Margalit told The Washington Post. “We need to build trust with the Palestinians again and make sure they do not continue with their unilateral steps.” | “It undermines the direction that Israel has declared it is striving for during the last three prime ministers,” Margalit told The Washington Post. “We need to build trust with the Palestinians again and make sure they do not continue with their unilateral steps.” |
| Saeb Erekat, who was the chief Palestinian negotiator during the Kerry peace talks, said he was not surprised to hear the remarks. “Netanyahu has done everything possible to bury the two-state solution,” he said. “This is not something new to us.” | Saeb Erekat, who was the chief Palestinian negotiator during the Kerry peace talks, said he was not surprised to hear the remarks. “Netanyahu has done everything possible to bury the two-state solution,” he said. “This is not something new to us.” |
| Netanyahu’s words hit the Internet soon after the prime minister visited a Jewish settlement in East Jerusalem on Monday and warned that if it were not for him and his right-wing Likud party, residents there would be next-door neighbors with the Islamist militant movement Hamas. | Netanyahu’s words hit the Internet soon after the prime minister visited a Jewish settlement in East Jerusalem on Monday and warned that if it were not for him and his right-wing Likud party, residents there would be next-door neighbors with the Islamist militant movement Hamas. |
| The message was not subtle — but it sure was direct. | The message was not subtle — but it sure was direct. |
| Israelis who fear that Hamas will take over the West Bank, as it did the Gaza Strip in 2007, have adopted the shorthand “Hamastan” to express that concern. Hamas is branded a terrorist organization by Israel and the United States. Israel and Hamas fought a 50-day war last summer. | Israelis who fear that Hamas will take over the West Bank, as it did the Gaza Strip in 2007, have adopted the shorthand “Hamastan” to express that concern. Hamas is branded a terrorist organization by Israel and the United States. Israel and Hamas fought a 50-day war last summer. |
| [Netanyahu warns supporters he may lose in Tuesday’s elections] | [Netanyahu warns supporters he may lose in Tuesday’s elections] |
| Over the past quarter-century, Israel and the Palestinians have engaged in many talks that failed to bear fruit. Kerry’s attempt collapsed last April, with each side blaming the other. | Over the past quarter-century, Israel and the Palestinians have engaged in many talks that failed to bear fruit. Kerry’s attempt collapsed last April, with each side blaming the other. |
| In a statement issued by his Likud party a week ago, Netanyahu was quoted as saying that his past support for an independent Palestinian state is now irrelevant. | In a statement issued by his Likud party a week ago, Netanyahu was quoted as saying that his past support for an independent Palestinian state is now irrelevant. |
| “In the Mideast today, any evacuated territory will be overtaken by radical Islam and terror groups backed by Iran. Therefore, there will be no withdrawals and no concessions. It’s just not relevant,” the statement read, attributing the remark to Netanyahu. | “In the Mideast today, any evacuated territory will be overtaken by radical Islam and terror groups backed by Iran. Therefore, there will be no withdrawals and no concessions. It’s just not relevant,” the statement read, attributing the remark to Netanyahu. |
| Afterward, Netanyahu’s spokesman attempted to clarify matters by stating that the prime minister meant to say that “under current conditions in the Middle East, any land that is handed over would be grabbed by Islamist extremists.” | Afterward, Netanyahu’s spokesman attempted to clarify matters by stating that the prime minister meant to say that “under current conditions in the Middle East, any land that is handed over would be grabbed by Islamist extremists.” |
| The Palestinian Authority under President Mahmoud Abbas, which oversees part of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, has vowed to pursue a path of nonviolence and has coordinated its security responsibilities with Israeli forces. | The Palestinian Authority under President Mahmoud Abbas, which oversees part of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, has vowed to pursue a path of nonviolence and has coordinated its security responsibilities with Israeli forces. |
| What the United States could learn from Israel’s electoral system | What the United States could learn from Israel’s electoral system |
| Netanyahu’s fears over the possible nuclear deal with Iran | Netanyahu’s fears over the possible nuclear deal with Iran |