Israel Seeks End To Political Deadlock With Third Election In A Year

Israelis are voting on Monday in the country’s third election in less than a year to decide whether longtime Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu stays in power despite his upcoming criminal trial on corruption charges.

The vote comes just two weeks before Prime Minister Netayanhu, the longest serving leader in Israeli history, stands trial after being formally charged in January with bribery, fraud and breach of trust.

Like the two polls held in 2019, Monday’s vote pits  Netanyahu against former military chief, Benny Gantz.

Netanyahu has been the caretaker prime minister for more than a year as a divided Israel has weathered two inconclusive elections and a prolonged political paralysis.

He faces a stiff challenge once again from retired military chief Benny Gantz, whose centrist Blue and White party is running even with Netanyahu’s Likud on a campaign message that Israel’s longtime prime minister is unfit to lead because of the serious charges against him.

Both parties appear unable to form a coalition with their traditional allies. With the prospect of a unity government between them seemingly off the table after a particularly nasty campaign, Monday’s vote may well turn into a mere  preamble to another election.

With opinion polls forecasting another deadlock, Netanyahu is seeking a late surge in support to score a parliamentary majority along with other nationalist parties that will deliver him a fourth consecutive term in office, and fifth overall.