Israelis begin voting as Netanyahu fights for political survival
Israelis have begun voting in a high-stakes election, with Benjamin Netanyahu facing a challenge from former military chief Gadi Eisenkot amid divisions over the genocidal war in Gaza, the war on Iran, and Israel’s growing international isolation.
Arab-majority party Ra’am and the Democrats have backed Gadi Eisenkot in a bid to form Israel’s next government.
President calls on all parties to help avoid new election after Netanyahu and Eisenkot blocs fell short of majority Israel’s president, Isaac Herzog, was due to meet Benjamin Netanyahu and his chief political rival, Gadi Eisenkot, on Thursday with less than a week left before he decides which of the two men should first try to form a government. A bitterly contested election last month, seen by many observers as one of the most consequential for Israel in many decades, ended with neither Netanyahu nor Eisenkot, a former military general and chief of staff, securing a clear pathway to power.
The midterms sent a warning to both parties: Voters enraged by Gaza are rejecting politicians who back Israel’s wars.
Eisenkot's bloc and Arab-led parties seek to oust Netanyahu, but failure to form government could leave him in power.
Arab-majority parties in Israel, the Joint List and Ra’am, have backed Netanyahu’s rival Gadi Eisenkot to form a governm
Announcement comes after majority of Israeli lawmakers endorse Eisenkot over Netanyahu.