2020 Elections

Israel shedding light on coronavirus?

Gil Hoffman reflects on the impact of the coronavirus on the State of Israel and its politics.

Is Liberman positioning himself for a leadership bid?

Is Avigdor Liberman just using Benny Gantz to wipe Netanyahu off the political map?

MK Shaked: Likelihood of minority gvt. close to zero

MK and former Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked describes various scenarios for unity government: 'Politicians need to come to their senses.'

Will the Israeli government be supported by anti-Zionists?

The Blue and White party threatens to form a government backed by the Arab party. Tamar Yonah wonders how low the politicians can go.

Lapid: Best option is narrow gov't with Joint List support

“I admit that this is not the government that we wanted, but it is far superior to the current paralysis," Blue and White leader says.

Rabbi Peretz: 'Shame on you' Blue & White MKs

Minister of Education Rabbi Peretz slams Gantz and other party members for their intention to establish minority govt. with Arab support

Blue and White concerned Liberman won't join minority government

Blue and White concerned Yisrael Beytenu won't agree to join minority government supported by Joint Arab List.

Blue and White fumes at two of its MKs

Blue and White's MK Gantz demanding MKs Zvi Hauser and Yoaz Hendel support minority government or resign, report says.

Israeli journalist: 'Form narrow government now'

Amnon Abramovich calls for 'immediate' formation of minority government relying on Joint Arab List, says Netanyahu was 'defeated.'

'All attempts to form a government are legitimate'

MK Amir Peretz praises those working to form 'government of change and hope,' says PM Netanyahu's warning is 'illegitimate and dangerous.'

Shaked's message to the left

MK Ayelet Shaked says left-wing majority includes MKs who want to erase Israel's Jewish identity, calls on leftist parties to join right.

'They're trying to steal the elections'

PM Netanyahu says he refused to allow Jewish prayer on Temple Mount because the move would 'inflame the entire Middle East.'

Gantz: 'I'll form a stable government'

'Three rounds of elections ended with definite majority who don't support Netanyahu,' Blue and White chairman claims.

Betzalel Smotrich:

'Three Chiefs of Staff selling Israel to its enemies'

Transport Minister blasts Blue and White intent to form government with Joint Arab List: 'Their hatred of Netanyahu has driven them insane.'

Report: Otzma Yehudit cost the right 1 seat

Right-wing bloc would have won 59 seats if Itamar Ben Gvir had withdrawn from this week's election.

The sheriff

Yuval Steinitz: Outrageous and anti-democratic law

Energy Minister denounces law that would ban Netanyahu from forming coalition: This law spits in the face of at least half the population.

Otzma Yehudit wanted to quit the race

Otzma Yehudit received less than 20,000 votes - and seriously considered quitting the race. Rabbi Dov Lior told them not to.

Moshe and the Israeli elections: concealment and revelation

Building a model world and making G-d’s dream come True.

Final election results: Likud 36, Blue and White 33

Right-wing bloc receives 58 seats, left-wing bloc and Arabs a combined 55 seats after final votes counted.

What is Israelophobia and how can you fight against it?

Israelophobia covers not only the rhetorical assault on the Jewish state but the eruption of violence against individual and communities.

In case of 4th election:

Israeli Mayors: We will break political deadlock

Group of Israeli mayors say they will force political parties to form government as impasse prevents budgets from being passed.

Blue & White MK:

'We'll activate majority against Netanyahu State'

MK Ofer Shelah: 'There's majority in new Knesset for State of Israel and against State of Netanyahu. We'll act without hesitation.'

Netanyahu to Gantz, Liberman: You can't steal the election

PM slams Blue and White, Yisrael Beytenu leaders for seeking to 'disqualify a candidate after the election.'

Why can't Gantz and Netanyahu sit together?

Jay Shapiro argues that the leaders of the largest parties in Israel understand that no clear decision has been reached.

The offer received by Orly Levy-Abekasis

Likud reportedly proposed to Gesher chairwoman that she join a coalition in exchange for promoting her father's candidacy for President.

Gesher MK denies negotiations with Likud

MK Levi-Abekasis says no negotiations to join right-wing government calls out offer regarding her father as 'outrageous' and 'shameful.'

Yamina to fight law banning Netanyahu from forming gov't

DM Bennett promises: 'We'll fight move by Blue and White, Joint Arab List, to pass law forcing Pres. Rivlin to disqualify PM Netanyahu.'

Shaked: Attempt to negate Israeli democracy

Former Justice Minister slams Blue and White, Joint Arab List for attempting to push legislation barring Netanyahu from being prime minister

97.3% counted:

59 seats for right-wing bloc

Likud holding at 36 seats, Blue and White trailing at 32.

PA: We will talk to any Israeli government

Abbas spokesman says Knesset elections are an internal Israeli matter and the Palestinians will speak to any elected government.

Supreme Court rejects appeal to disqualify Netanyahu

Appeal by Movement for Quality Government to disqualify PM Netanyahu outright is rejected. 'We'll resubmit after results are published.'

Final results:

Right-wing bloc - 58 seats, Blue and White - 33

After 99.9% of votes counted: The right-wing bloc has 58 seats, compared to 55 for the left-center bloc.

Who's at fault for the left's decline?

MK Itzik Shmuli blames MK Amir Peretz, while MK Peretz says 'irresponsible' Blue and White campaign for harming left's chance at coalition.

Smotrich to Odeh: You and your friends are ingrates

Transportation Minister responds to Joint List chairman's tweet: You're living the good life because there is a Jewish majority here.

Voter fraud?

'We voted Yamina, where did the votes go?'

Or Akiva resident finds Yamina received 0 votes at his polling station despite he and his friends having voted for Yamina.

'The Likud ran a proper campaign and therefore won'

Gil Hoffman explains why Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s campaign was so successful and why challenger Benny Gantz’s was so lackluster.

'Gantz is giving in to pressure from Arab MKs'

Min. Regev slams Blue and White chief, says MK Tibi promised to control Gantz - and is following through.

Watch: Elections summarized- in the shadow of Coronavirus

2NJB Monthly Recap - Coronavirus and Elections in Israel (third time is NOT the charm), Dem Primaries and much, much more!

99% of votes counted:

Right-wing bloc drops to 58 seats

Likud holding steady at 36, Blue and White rises to 33 seats.

'Difficult morning for democratic Israelis'

Former Green Party MK says results of Israel's election are 'difficult' for 'every democratic Israeli.'

Watch Election Committee open coronavirus isolation ballot boxes

Central Election Committee begins entering names listed on double envelopes. Watch polling booths for quarantined voters.

More Chabad hasidim voted for UTJ

Number of Chabad-Lubavitch hasidim voting for haredi UTJ grows after rabbis push not to support parties with no chance of entering Knesset.

94% of votes counted

Likud currently has 36 seats and Blue and White has 32.

'Most miserable result ever':

Labor MK: 'We were cut in half; the result is poor'

MK Shmuli reacts to Labor Party crash in polls: 'Had it not been for the union I pushed, Zionist Left would have been erased.'

Nearly 40% counted:

Likud leading Blue and White by 4 seats

Interim results show potential right-wing government; final results are expected Wednesday or Thursday.

Tamar Zandberg: 'We won't lower our heads and give up'

Former Meretz Chairwoman following results: 'At least half of public voted against corrupt and racist coup Netanyahu is planning for us.'

'No unity government'

Right-wing leaders meet Netanyahu

Health Minister Yaakov Litzman: I will not sit in government with Yair Lapid.

Protesters demand: Don't let Netanyahu form a government

Movement for Quality Government calls on Pres. Rivlin, Supreme Court, not to allow PM Netanyahu to form government.

Change in results:

Right-wing bloc falls to 58 seats, Likud to 35

Joint Arab List rises to 16 seats as chances for formation of right-wing government fall.

Elections Committee: All votes counted, results later

Chair of Central Elections Committee says clear picture of the results expected this evening. At the moment, tests of accuracy underway.

Blue and White: Netanyahu instructed to disrupt vote counting

Blue and White MK Avi Nissenkorn heads to Knesset to "closely monitor the work of the Central Election Committee".

Smotrich: Netanyahu wants to set up demilitarized PA state

Transportation Minister predicts Netanyahu will leave out Jewish Home, National Union and bring Gantz into the coalition.

'One also needs to know how to lose'

MK Yoel Razvozov of Blue and White tells Arutz Sheva: It's too early to assess the loss, but what we're seeing is certainly unpleasant.

Right-wing bloc returns to 59 seats

Latest election results restore seat to Likud, remove seat from Joint Arab list.

Shaked: The public decided - A right-wing government

Yamina faction hopes to extend sovereignty in Judea and Samaria, restore separation of powers with the High Court.

Odeh: 'Tremendous achievement'

'I will have nothing to do with Gantz,' Joint Arab List chair says. 'If he wants he can call me.'

Lapid: 'We won't enter unity under Netanyahu'

Blue and White faction convenes for first session since election. Yair Lapid claims no faction member would join Netanyahu government.

90% counted:

Right-wing bloc has 59 seats

Likud leading Blue and White by four seats, right-religious bloc two seats short of majority.

TV commentator:

'Hundreds of thousands of criminals voted for Netanyahu'

Kan commentator claims Likud garnered votes of criminals and their relatives. Minister Amsalem: 'Close Kan Corporation ASAP.'