In Israel Election, Netanyahu’s Party Leads but Path to Majority Uncertain The prime minister’s party held the lead, exit polls projected Wednesday morning, but neither his right-wing alliance nor a diverse bloc of opposition parties had a clear path to a majority coalition. That decision has split the right-wing bloc that has kept Mr. Netanyahu in power for the past 12 years, and divided voters and parties less by political ideology than by their attitude toward Mr. Netanyahu himself. Throughout the campaign, Mr. Bennett refused to clarify whether he would back a coalition led by Mr. Netanyahu. Likud party election campaign banners of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on election day. But Mr. Saar left Mr. Netanyahu’s party, Likud, late last year — not out of profound ideological difference, but in protest at Mr. Netanyahu’s refusal to resign after being charged with corruption.

Source: International New York Times March 23, 2021 15:17 UTC