2019 Election

Both the Right and the Left dealt plenty of low blows in this election campaign but now it's time for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to remember how close he came to losing and abandon his policy of attacks.

"Israelis have voted to preserve the status quo. They have said no to peace and yes to the occupation," says chief Palestinian Authority negotiator Saeb Erekat, after exit polls after exit polls show left-wing parties suffering major losses in national election.

As of 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, only 20% of eligible Arab voters had cast ballots • Hadash-Ta'al reports that number jumped to 44% by the time the polls closed.

With more than 3.4 million ballots counted as of early Wednesday morning in Israel, Likud had 27% of the votes, ahead of Blue and White at 25.9%. "This is an unimaginable achievement," Netanyahu told jubilant supporters at Likud Party headquarters in Tel Aviv.

New Right party says Netanyahu's intense media campaign to rally right-wing voters behind Likud dealt New Right potentially fatal blow

Blue and White leader says he got mandate to form government, but analysts see this a long shot. Netanyahu claims Right can form new government because of "clear victory."

i24NEWS will air the real election results right here

Netanyahu has easier task at forming coalition, but Gantz could get tacit support from Arabs. Blue and White, Likud in dead heat, with 36 seats each. Unity government likelier than ever.

Netanyahu takes to social media to ask voters to avoid complacency, warning center-left parties would strike alliance with Arab MKs and topple Right

Prime minister arrives at Judaism's holiest site for prayer, places note in cracks. Netanyahu hopes to win a fifth term despite corruption probes.