After exit polls in Israel indicated Tuesday that former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies may have won enough seats to return to power in a nationalist religious government after 3 1/2 years of political gridlock, the Likud leader voiced cautioned optimism about the prospets of securing another term in office.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
"It's a good start, that's all I can say right now," Netanyahu said after the exit polls came out. He warned that "this is not the official tally, the final count must have zero fraud because some are trying to create fake results now." His warning came just as Likud voiced concern that Arab polling stations were not properly monitored because right-wing observers had come under threat from the locals. The Central Elections Committee dismissed reports of fraud being carrying out systematically in "any sector."
The Arab vote could ultimately determine the outcome of the election. Israeli media reported that the small Arab nationalist party Balad was approaching the electoral threshold, which would give it four seats and erase Netanyahu's narrow projected margin.
It was the fifth election in less than four years in Israel, and all of them turned largely on Netanyahu's fitness to govern. Polls by three major Israeli TV stations indicated that Netanyahu and his allies would capture the 61-seat majority in parliament required to form a new government.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
