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Israeli Exit Polls Show Surprisingly Narrow Netanyahu Victory

by Scott Bobb January 22, 2013

In Israel, exit polls by the three television channels project that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing coalition has won more than 30 seats in parliament but has been weakened by a strong showing by centrist parties. Overall, Tuesday's polls project a slim majority of one or two seats for the right.

An announcer read the unofficial results on national radio and television a few minutes after polls closed across Israel Tuesday night.

The exit polls suggested Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing alliance had lost ground to centrist parties but could still be charged with forming the next government after the official results are released next week.

Analysts said the job of forging a coalition would be difficult, and the resulting government could be less stable than under the previous coalition which governed for nearly four years. Voter turnout was high Tuesday as Israelis voted in large numbers under sunny skies.

Liliane Brunswich, who immigrated to Israel 50 years ago, voted in the well-to-do German Colony neighborhood. She said security was her primary concern. 'I want our government to protect Israel,' she said.

Voter Jack Jamal said most Israelis want peace with their Palestinian neighbors, but that it is not likely to happen because of the stalled peace talks.

'The main issues, I think, have been domestic in this particular election. They're talking about social issues, economic issues, equality of opportunities, equality of obligations. These are the main issues,' he said.

The exit polls projected that the recently formed Yesh Atid party of former television journalist Yair Lapid received the second largest number of seats (18-19 seats). The religious-nationalist Jewish Home party of another young newcomer, entrepreneur Naftali Bennett, was also projected to do well (12 seats).

Bennett has said Israel should annex large portions of the West Bank where the Palestinians hope to build their state.

In the predominantly Arab neighborhood of Beit Safafa, Khalil Salman said economic issues were important but he hoped the new government would do more for Israeli-Arabs who make up 20 percent of the population.

He says the most important thing for the citizens is to obtain their rights, all their rights.

His neighbor, Masaab Tawil, said he was not voting. 'It will stay the same. The right side will help only the Israeli people and care for them. The Israeli government will not look at us, the Palestinians,' he said.

Official results are to be announced in one week. But the negotiations to form the next Israeli government have already begun. Analysts say they are likely to be difficult.