Millions Of Israelis Head To The Polls To Cast Votes In Tightly-Fought Election

by Guest Tue Mar 17, 2015 6:31 pm

* Center-left led going into the vote, but too close to call

* Social, economic issues vie with security in tight campaign

* After vote, who forms government may not be clear

* Center-left may struggle to build coalition even if it wins (Adds details on turnout, quotes from Netanyahu)

By Luke Baker

JERUSALEM, March 17 (Reuters) - Millions of Israelis turned out to vote on Tuesday in a tightly-fought election, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu facing an uphill battle to defeat a strong campaign by the center-left opposition to deny him a fourth term in office.

In many respects the election has turned into a referendum on "Bibi" Netanyahu, 65, who has been in power for a total of nine years spread over three terms.

If he wins he would be on track to become Israel's longest-serving prime minister, but would probably also prolong a prickly relationship with the country's main ally, the United States, at least as long as Barack Obama is in the White House.

Netanyahu has focused on the threat from Iran's nuclear program and militant Islam. But many Israelis say they are tiring of this message, and the center-left's campaign on social and economic issues, especially the high cost of housing and everyday living in Israel, appears to have won support.

In a possible sign of edginess, Netanyahu took to Facebook to denounce what he said was an effort by left-wing non-profit groups to get Arab-Israelis out to sway the election against him. "The right-wing government is in danger," he wrote. "Arab voters are going to vote in droves. Left-wing NGOs are bringing them in buses."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/16/benjamin-netanyahu-israel-election_n_6881772.html

Well it will be interesting to see the centre left win, which would open the door again for the peace process, which if the palestinians fuck up this chance, I doubt anyone will believe there ever will be one if they do not come to an agreement this time.
I for one have stated that change needs to happen, this also needs to happen in Gaza if there is to be peace, and this could be a starting point to bring about change.