Israeli election results inconclusive - TV7 Israel News 18.09.19

Today’s top stories 18.9.19;



1) Israel’s national parliamentary elections ended inconclusively last night, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failing to gain a necessary bloc of at least 61 mandates.

2) Jordanian King Abdullah warns that if Israel would annex the west bank, it would have a direct impact on Jerusalem’s relationship with Amman and Cairo.

3) Saudi Arabia announced that it will restore its lost oil production by the end of September, managing to recover and supply its customers with the same levels of product provided prior to the weekend attacks on its facilities.

[tvisraelnews]

After Israel’s Election for 22nd Knesset: What Next? 

An unprecedented two rounds of national elections have been held in Israel this year, with no clear winner in sight. Exit polls have been notably inaccurate in the past; but as of this writing, they indicate that neither of the two largest parties managed to attract an outright 61-seat majority. There may also be slight adjustments to the predicted outcome after the completed tallying of votes cast by the nation’s soldiers and diplomatic corps living abroad, which is ongoing.

There was a 69.4% voter turn-out, slightly higher than the 68.5% during the last balloting on April 9th. 20 total parties will be represented in the 22nd Knesset, although most ran on just 9 joint lists – which was an historical low.

The final official count is not expected to be released until this Friday, 20 September 2019.

After that, the next stage of Israel’s multi-party, proportional representation democratic electoral process involves appointment of the candidate most likely to succeed in forming a coalition by Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin, following consultations with all parliamentary parties. This individual is usually the leader of the party with the largest Knesset representation, or the head of a party. He/she will be allotted 28 days to negotiate with smaller factions, with the possibility of a 2-week extension pending presidential approval.

If the designated politician succeeds in forming a coalition, it is presented to the Knesset for a vote of confidence by simple majority, within 45 days of the publication of election results in the official gazette. At this time, he/she becomes Prime Minister, and newly-appointed Cabinet Ministers assume their portfolios.

If the designee fails to form a government within 42 days, however, the president may then assign another politician with the mission. If that person would also fail to form a viable coalition in 28 days (without the possibility of extension), Members of Knesset have the option to file written applications to the president requesting he/she be tasked with coalition-building, although such a precedent has yet to occur. The last option is the route taken in the wake of the 9 April 2019 balloting, when the incumbent Knesset voted to dissolve itself and compelled the holding of new elections. President Rivlin has already vowed to do everything in his power to spare the nation the political upheaval and expense of holding yet another, third round of voting.

With 90.3% of votes counted, political novice Benny Gantz’ Blue and White faction is leading with 32 seats, trailed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s Likud with 31. It must be noted, however, that Likud often fares better in the final count than indicated by the exit polls, which may offer a slight political edge to the premier. The current data indicates his Center-Right bloc holds 56 seats, constituting a razor-thin margin over the Center-Left’s 55.

Even with the support of his natural ultra-Orthodox allies, Netanyahu faces major challenges. According to the Yohanan Plesner, President of the Israel Democracy Institute, “It looks like Mr. Netanyahu’s path to 61 – assuming the exit polls are right – is blocked, while Mr. Gantz has more options.” Plesner pointed out that Netanyahu remains “quite a distance” of 4-7 seats short from forming a right wing, ultra-Orthodox coalition; observing that this “might set Israel on a new political course.”

The primarily-Arab Joint List has emerged as the third largest faction with 10-12 seats, following a significant rise of its constituents’ participation to around 63% over just 49% in April. The party is unlikely to join either of the two main contenders in a coalition. While it has historically failed to endorse any candidate during the presidential consultations, Joint List leaders have gone on the record stating they are considering recommending Rivlin award Gantz with the first shot at coalition-building.

Perceived-kingmaker Avigdor Liberman can tip the balance in favor of either of the two major candidates, and he has issued no public commitments to either. The 9 mandates won by his Yisrael Beiteinu party would actuate an historic fifth premiership for Netanyahu. If both the Joint List and Yisrael Beiteinu throw their support behind Blue and White, former IDF Chief of Staff Gantz would officially make his political debut as the national leader.

Liberman openly advocates a secular unity government between his party, Likud and Blue and White; without the ultra-religious parties such as Shas, which also holds 9 mandates; or United Torah Judaism with 8. Gantz has also indicated interest in a unity government, albeit without Netanyahu at the helm of his party while still facing indictment on corruption charges. Even though Likud party-faithful have vowed to stand firm alongside their leader, President Rivlin could pursue a third option – of tasking a different Likud parliamentary member with forming the next government. Potential selectees include Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein, Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz, Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan or MK Gideon Sa’ar. This would entail a power struggle within the party, which is possible but seen as unlikely. If actualized though, such a shift in internal leadership could pave the way to the formation of a national unity government between Likud and Blue and White, that could even include a rotating premiership between Gantz and a new Likud head.

Other parties to cross the 3.25% political threshold into the Knesset plenum include the right to far-right wing Yamina faction that has 7 mandates, the leftist-leaning Labor-Gesher alliance with 6, and center-left Democratic Union at 5.

Israel now enters a phase of political uncertainty, and it may remain unknown for many days or even weeks who will serve as the next leader of the Jewish State.

[dawnjohnson]

Yes Sir 👍 we will keep on praying 🙏 for the peace of Jerusalem.

[ameard]

I want BIBI to stay in power
He s done a good job ....why should israel go into uncertainty by voting Gantz ....

[willskats]

We continue to pray for the peace of Israel and the peace of Jerusalem

[tillybreed]

We pray for the peace of Israel and the peace of Jerusalem, always

[s.d.sanjaya]

(i don't know about politics)
i think mr. netanyahu is right. israel belong to jewish people and it is should be!!

[daleadmire]

Are you kidding me? who are these people who don't want bibi, he has been so successful for Israel, what a bunch of clowns.

[ascaloncrusader]

God is in control. Regardless of the outcome, we will trust God. 🇮🇱

[miguelangelmacias]

God is with Bibi as He was with Abraham Isaac and Jacob. Long live Israel🔯

[saved]

Perplexity? May the LORD of the Heaven's Armies bless and protect Israel. Maranatha.

[Simonedepaula_]

Bibi 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Brazil & Israel ❤️
🙏🏼🙌🏼

[jameskatry]

I prayed last night that bibi would win.

[ChrissyKimani]

The Jewish have expressed their will, as your brother's in Christ we are praying for the peace of Jerusalem and Israel as a nation. Shalom.

[hassanismailisack]

Read the history ' Israel ' community has long land Coverage Syria, Jordan and Part of Egypt. Israel must capture these land destroy the enemy.

[Fyodor]

Seems that Christian believers were lacking in prayer for Benjamin, including myself. Hopefully he can put together a coalition of some sort. Only God can save Israel 🇮🇱
*WAKE UP ISRAEL SUPPORT BiBi*

[willskats]

Shalom everyone
Thanks mr Pinto for the news
God bless you and the entire team of TV7 God bless Israel and Israelis

[wambutu]

I want to thank this channel for the clear and concise covering of the news. It is difficult to find relatively fact-based reporting on this, or to be honest any other issue. I'll make sure to come back here to get news on Israel in the Middle East again

[leonardleonardlove]

May God help Benjamin Netanyahu stay in power of the Israeli Nation.

[adultpijatrefleksi]

GOD BLESS YOU Israel GOD BLESS YOU Benjamin Netanyahu LONG LIVE Israel LONG LIVE Benjamin Netanyahu, I'am From Indonesia

[Olawuyi]

who cares about what Amman and Cairo thinks, both country should think about their countries security