Israel

Israel’s 3rd election in a year improves Netanyahu’s chances of forming a government, exit polls show

Likud supporters celebrate at party headquarters in Tel Aviv after the release of the first exit polls on March 2, 2020. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party improved its chances of forming a government after it gained three more seats in parliament than Blue and White at the close of voting in Israel, exit polls showed. Likud took 36 seats, according to the polling by the Kan… Read more »

Without absentee voting, Israelis abroad struggle over whether to fly home for 3rd election in a year

The El Al departure counter at Ben Gurion International Airport is empty after the airline canceled flights to Italy amid a coronavirus outbreak, Feb. 27, 2020. (Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images)

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Five years ago this week, Amos Geva took an EasyJet flight from Berlin to Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport for a very short visit home. On his agenda: dinner with his family, a trip to the ballot box and media interviews about his efforts to encourage Israeli… Read more »

A beginner’s guide to Israel’s unprecedented third election in the past 12 months

A campaign billboard in Ramat Gan, a suburb of Tel Aviv, featuring Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz in front of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (Artur Widak/Getty Images)

(JTA) — Full disclosure: This is the third time in the past year that we have published this article. With only minor changes. That’s because on Monday, March 2, for the third time in the past 12 months, Israelis will be voting in a national election. The first election,… Read more »

Dozens of new immigrants arrive in Israel from Ethiopia

JERUSALEM (JTA) — More than 40 new immigrants arrived in Israel on Tuesday from Ethiopia, less than a week before national elections. The new immigrants are from nine families and are being reunited with relatives who live in Israel. They are part of the Falash Mura community, which claim… Read more »