On Tuesday, Israelis went to the polls for the parliamentary election. Exit polls indicated that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s political party, Likud, will gain a majority of the seats in Parliament and thus grant him a third term as a leader in Israel. Opponents worry that this will push the Jewish state further to the right and away from a compromise with Palenstine.
After heading to the polls to cast his vote, the 63-year-old leader told reporters that a flood of ballots for his list "is good for Israel."
Ronit Levy told USA Today that he doesn’t believe change will come as a result of today’s election. "We are very skeptical that there will be any real changes from this election because there is no strong or united left-wing block and everyone is busy attacking each other," said the 29-year-old while at a polling station in central Jerusalem.
Other voters, like Shir Sasson, 30, were more optimistic. "It is obvious that Benjamin Netanyahu will win but I hope there will be some change and perhaps even some small surprises," she said.
According to the Central Elections Committee, 32 parties are competing for votes in the election. To win, a party needs to secure at least 2% of the total vote to gain a seat in Israel's parliament. So far, Likud is in the lead with 61 to 62 seats in the 120-member parliament, as reported by the Israeli press.
However, traction by a new centrist party would force Netanyahu to form a broad coalition.
On Facebook, the Prime Minister wrote, “According to the exit polls, it is clear that Israel citizens decided that they want me to continue to serve as prime minister of Israel, and that I form the widest possible majority (coalition).” However, Likud members said that it will only join parliament if Netanyahu makes a greater attempt to establish peace with Palenstine.