Israel – urnele s-au închis. Așteptare febrilă în toată lumea privind rezultatul unor alegeri cu mare putere de simbol, decisive pentru Netanyahu

Israel held parliamentary elections on Tuesday, the first since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Voter turnout reached a historic 74.3%, with over 5.44 million citizens participating. The elections are crucial for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's future, as his rivals promise a new political era. Initial exit polls are expected shortly after polls close, but final results may take days or weeks. The Knesset elections involve proportional representation, with 36 lists competing for seats. After counting, President Isaac Herzog will consult party leaders to appoint a prime ministerial candidate. Netanyahu's Likud party sought to extend voting hours, but the request was denied. Gadi Eisenkot, Netanyahu's main opponent, urged voters to replace what he called the worst government in Israel's history. Netanyahu accused Arab opponents of attempting to steal the elections, amidst rising international criticism of the Gaza conflict.