Axios: Twin victory speeches

Twin victory speeches
 
Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, waves an Israeli flag onstage following the release of the first exit poll in Israel’s general election in Tel Aviv last night. Photo: Ariel Schalit/APAxios’ Barak Ravid reports from Tel Aviv:

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right coalition was running nearly even with Gadi Eisenkot’s opposition bloc as vote counting continued today — but both are short of a 61-seat majority.

Why it matters: Political stalemate is the most likely outcome of yesterday’s historic election, with Netanyahu weakened but neither side having a clear path to forming a coalition government. Weeks of negotiating could lie ahead. Arab parties are poised to win 18 to 19 seats in what would be an unprecedented electoral achievement.

Theoretically, Eisenkot’s bloc could try to swear in a minority government supported by the two Arab parties. But that looks unlikely.

📊 State of play: A close outcome could leave the country in a state of limbo, with Netanyahu likely staying on as a caretaker prime minister at the helm of the executive branch and the opposition led by Eisenkot controlling the Knesset.

That scenario could last until new elections, possibly as early as April.

The two sides could try to break the deadlock by forming a unity government between Netanyahu and Eisenkot. But that’s improbable, since none of the opposition parties will agree to sit in a Netanyahu-led government.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at an election-night rally in Jerusalem. Photo: Jalaa Marey/AFP via Getty Images

🔎 Zoom in: Eisenkot claimed victory in a speech after midnight Israeli time. He said if Netanyahu was a “decent leader,” he’d leave the political stage after the public voted for change.Eisenkot alluded to the possibility that the prime minister would launch military action before a new government is seated. “Netanyahu, don’t dare use Israel’s security for your political needs,” Eisenkot said.

After 3 a.m. Israeli time, Netanyahu took the stage and also claimed victory:

“We are still waiting for the official election results. Likud is the largest party in Israel. The right-wing bloc has a clear, decisive majority among the Zionist public and among the Jewish population as a whole.” Share this story.
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About michelleclarke2015

Life event that changes all: Horse riding accident in Zimbabwe in 1993, a fractured skull et al including bipolar anxiety, chronic fatigue …. co-morbidities (Nietzche 'He who has the reason why can deal with any how' details my health history from 1993 to date). 17th 2017 August operation for breast cancer (no indications just an appointment came from BreastCheck through the Post). Trinity College Dublin Business Economics and Social Studies (but no degree) 1997-2003; UCD 1997/1998 night classes) essays, projects, writings. Trinity Horizon Programme 1997/98 (Centre for Women Studies Trinity College Dublin/St. Patrick's Foundation (Professor McKeon) EU Horizon funded: research study of 15 women (I was one of this group and it became the cornerstone of my journey to now 2017) over 9 mth period diagnosed with depression and their reintegration into society, with special emphasis on work, arts, further education; Notes from time at Trinity Horizon Project 1997/98; Articles written for Irishhealth.com 2003/2004; St Patricks Foundation monthly lecture notes for a specific period in time; Selection of Poetry including poems written by people I know; Quotations 1998-2017; other writings mainly with theme of social justice under the heading Citizen Journalism Ireland. Letters written to friends about life in Zimbabwe; Family history including Michael Comyn KC, my grandfather, my grandmother's family, the O'Donnellan ffrench Blake-Forsters; Moral wrong: An acrimonious divorce but the real injustice was the Catholic Church granting an annulment – you can read it and make your own judgment, I have mine. Topics I have written about include annual Brain Awareness week, Mashonaland Irish Associataion in Zimbabwe, Suicide (a life sentence to those left behind); Nostalgia: Tara Hill, Co. Meath.
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