Israel on High Alert Ahead of Crucial Knesset Election
Translated & summarized from Jüdische Allgemeine by baba
Israel's military is on heightened alert for Tuesday's parliamentary elections, deploying tens of thousands of soldiers and reinforcing air defenses. Around 7.3 million voters will choose a new Knesset, with polls indicating a close race between Gadi Eisenkot's centrist party and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud. Forming a coalition is expected to be challenging, with preliminary results due Tuesday night and final results eight days later.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Israel's military is on heightened alert ahead of Tuesday's parliamentary elections.
- Tens of thousands of soldiers have been deployed nationwide, with air defenses reinforced.
- Around 7.3 million Israelis are eligible to vote in what is considered a crucial election.
- Polls suggest a tight race between Gadi Eisenkot's centrist party and PM Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud.
- Forming a governing coalition is expected to be difficult after the election.
- Preliminary results are expected Tuesday evening, with final results eight days later.
Israel's military has been placed on heightened alert ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for Tuesday, according to Israeli media reports. Tens of thousands of soldiers have been deployed across the country, and air defense systems have been reinforced, despite security officials assessing the likelihood of missile attacks from Iran or Lebanon as low. The army is also set to conduct a drill over the next two days to practice its response to a surprise multi-front attack.
Approximately 7.3 million eligible voters are set to cast their ballots in what is being described as one of the most important elections in Israel's history, given the nation's pressing issues and deep societal divisions following the Hamas massacre on October 7, 2023. Recent polls suggest that the centrist party Yashar, led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, may narrowly emerge as the strongest force in the Knesset, followed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's conservative Likud party. However, both rivals are expected to face challenges in forming a viable governing coalition.
Initial election forecasts based on exit polls are expected Tuesday evening after polling stations close at 9:00 PM CET. Preliminary results based on counted votes will follow throughout the night. The election committee anticipates preliminary final results no earlier than Thursday, with official results to be published eight days after the election. Past elections have shown that the balance of power can shift as all votes are tallied.
Following the official announcement of the results, President Yitzhak Herzog will have seven days to task a candidate with forming a government, after consulting with the elected parties. The designated candidate will then have 28 days to assemble a coalition.
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