Israeli voters were deciding Tuesday whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains in office after a decade in power as they cast ballots in a national election that has become a referendum of sorts on their longtime leader.Clouded by a series of looming corruption indictments, Netanyahu is seeking a fourth consecutive and a fifth overall term in office, which would make him Israel’s longest-ever serving leader, surpassing founding father David Ben-Gurion.He faces a stiff challenge from retired military chief Benny Gantz, whose Blue and White party has inched ahead of Netanyahu’s Likud in polls. Netanyahu still appears to have the best chance of forming a coalition, though, with a smattering of small nationalist parties backing him.Gantz voted in his hometown of Rosh Haayin in central Israel alongside his wife, Revital, calling on Israelis to vote and “take responsibility” for their democracy. “Go to vote. Choose whoever you believe in. Respect each … [Read more...] about Israeli voters head to the polls in national election — deciding whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains in office
Benjamin netanyahu
Israel, courting ex-foes, can overfly Sudan: Netanyahu
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that Israeli airliners would be able to overfly Sudan en route to South America, part of Israel’s drive to improve ties with Muslim countries and isolate arch-foe Iran. FILE PHOTO: An EL AL Airlines Boeing 777-200 aircraft is seen at Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv, Israel July 14, 2015. REUTERS/Nir Elias/File Photo Encouraged by the Trump administration, Israel has sought better relations with formerly hostile Arab and Muslim countries that share its worries about Iran or see potential economic benefits. Last month, Netanyahu and Chadian President Idriss Deby renewed relations severed by N’Djamena in 1972. Netanyahu told a briefing of diplomats his talks with Deby had helped open up a new air corridor to South America. “At this time, we can overfly Egypt. We can overfly Chad, that has already been set. And to all appearances, we can also overfly this corner of … [Read more...] about Israel, courting ex-foes, can overfly Sudan: Netanyahu
Israeli police recommend indicting Netanyahu in telecom case
Aron Heller, Associated Press Updated 3:38 am CST, Sunday, December 2, 2018 FILE - In this Nov. 11, 2018, file photo, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara attend ceremonies at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Police say Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, they have established an evidentiary foundation to charge Netanyahu and his wife Sara with accepting bribes, fraud and breach of trust. less FILE - In this Nov. 11, 2018, file photo, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara attend ceremonies at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Police say Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, they have established an ... more Photo: Francois Mori, AP Photo: Francois Mori, AP Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Image 1 of 1 FILE - In this Nov. 11, 2018, file photo, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin … [Read more...] about Israeli police recommend indicting Netanyahu in telecom case
Israeli defense minister quits over Gaza truce in blow to Netanyahu
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman announced his resignation on Wednesday in protest at a Gaza ceasefire that he called a “capitulation to terror”, weakening Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s conservative coalition government. Israel's Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman delivers a statement to the media following his party, Yisrael Beitenu, faction meting at the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem November 14, 2018. REUTERS/Ammar Awad “Were I to stay in office, I would not be able to look southern residents in the eye,” Lieberman said, referring to Israelis subjected to a surge in Palestinian rocket attacks before Tuesday’s truce took hold. Lieberman said his resignation, which will go into effect 48 hours after he submits a formal letter to Netanyahu, also withdraws his far-right Israel Beitenu party from the coalition. That would leave Netanyahu with control of just 61 of the 120 seats in parliament … [Read more...] about Israeli defense minister quits over Gaza truce in blow to Netanyahu
Drama as Netanyahu makes nuclear claims on Iran
The Associated Press Published 3:34 PM EDT Sep 27, 2018 United Nations – This was no normal diplomatic speech. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held the U.N. General Assembly in suspense Thursday – and flashed boldly printed props – as he accused Iran of hiding a clandestine nuclear warehouse in a rug-cleaning plant. He built up to it with theatrical aplomb. “What I’m about to ay has not been shared publicly before.” Pause. “I’m disclosing for the first time that Iran has another secret facility in Tehran, a secret atomic warehouse.” In case anyone in the hall hadn’t already been paying attention, he took the unusual step of brandishing visual aids – a poster-board map, then a poster-board photo, then another poster-board map. It wasn’t his first time. Netanyahu is known for its showmanship at the U.N. General Assembly. In 2012, he famously held up a poster-board of a cartoon bomb while discussing … [Read more...] about Drama as Netanyahu makes nuclear claims on Iran