Netanyahu's bloc trails in the polls ahead of Tuesday's Israeli election, and Arab parties could hold the balance of power
Benjamin Netanyahu faces a deadlocked election on 27 October, with Arab parties holding enough seats to hand the opposition a majority if it joins forces with them.Benjamin Netanyahu's battle to retain power, as surveys suggest his rivals could secure a majority by uniting with Arab parties ahead of the 27 October vote.
A Walla survey projects just 48 seats for Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies, 13 short of the 61 needed to govern. President Donald Trump has thrown him a last-minute endorsement, but one veteran pollster doubts it can close the gap. Challenger Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief, has ruled out governing with Arab parties. Analysts warn the Iran war will continue whoever wins.
Arab Israelis account for roughly one in five of the country's population, and students are urging them to vote.
'If Netanyahu is elected, he'll do whatever he thinks he wants,' a former adviser said.
A displaced Gazan living in a tent calls the vote 'a matter of to be or not to be'.
