Special Coverage

The Israeli public is growing up. Heading to the polls for the fourth elections in two years, all it wants is stability.

Since the outbreak of the pandemic, 4,696 Israelis have died from the coronavirus. Health minister warns without lockdown extension, Israel to become "out-of-control coronavirus incubator." 

Israel Hayom poll sees Likud maintain the lead with 28 Knesset seats, but various mergers, splits and political newcomers are likely to see an untold number of precious votes squandered.  

Infection rates continue to soar despite the success of the national vaccination drive. Cabinet extends lockdown by several days but struggles to pass a bill to increase fines imposed on those flouting corona regulations.

Beyond reducing Arab representation in the next Knesset, the Joint Arab List’s demise could also incentivize the Zionist parties, mainly from the Right, to “pounce” on Arab voters in an attempt to siphon mandates.

The media’s anti-Haredi agenda has the public riled up and fuming, and the Likud is feeling it in the polls.

About 17% of survivors who contracted coronavirus died, similar to the mortality rate in the general population of the same age.

Health Minister Yuli Edelstein said that morbidity rates mandate extending the lockdown by at least another week. Senior health official says some Israelis who received Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine experienced side effects "unknown" to the pharma giant.

Channel 12 News poll finds that 61% of Israelis would rather see the Haredi parties excluded from a future coalition. Only 22% of respondents think they should be included in the government.

MK Mansour Abbas, whose party represents conservative Islamist values, has clashed with other list members over legislation as well as his recent cooperation with PM Benjamin Netanyahu.