00:00Israel is casting its vote. The country is voting in its first parliamentary election
00:04since the 7th October 2023 Hamas-led attacks, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu facing
00:11a major test of his political standing amid calls from centrist rivals for a change in leadership.
00:18But the outcome may not become clear as soon as the polling ends. Israel's electoral system means
00:24that forming a government depends not just on the votes parties receive, but also on
00:29their ability to build alliances and secure a majority in Parliament. So far, voter turnout
00:36has reached its highest level at this stage of an election since 1973, with 45% of eligible voters
00:44casting their ballots by around 2pm. That is significantly higher than the 38.9% recorded
00:51at the same time during the 2022 election. The latest figures have also surpassed previous
00:57records for turnout by 2pm set in 1988. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Netanyahu has urged
01:04his supporters to vote, warning that Arab voters were turning out in large numbers.
01:10Gandhi Isencourt's Yashar party, meanwhile, has accused Netanyahu of undermining public confidence
01:17in the election with unsubstantiated claims of electoral fraud. It is a high-stakes electoral
01:23battle and the outcome could have implications far beyond Israel's borders. Before I bring
01:29in my colleague Pranay Upadhyay and voices who know Israel politics very well, here's a report
01:35on what this election means and how it's panning out.
01:45He is Israel's longest-serving Prime Minister.
01:57A leader who has defined and dominated Israeli politics for decades. But now Benjamin Netanyahu
02:05Netanyahu is facing one of the biggest tests. We can't leave this campaign to the left and
02:12the Arab parties that want to bring an end to the Jewish state.
02:22Amid a war in West Asia, Benjamin Netanyahu is fighting for his political survival.
02:29His Likud party and its far-right allies are taking on an opposition bloc that includes
02:35the Yashar party, led by IDF chief, Gadi Isencourt.
02:46These are critical elections. Victory is not in the bag. We are facing the most critical day,
02:53perhaps since the founding of the state. I call on all Israeli citizens to go out and vote.
03:00Do not be discouraged by the heat or the disruptions. Stay focused on the mission,
03:06to replace the worst government since the state has founded. Tonight.
03:18This is Israel's first national election since the October 7th, 2023, Hamas-led attacks.
03:26And with the country deeply divided over security, the war, corruption, rising cost of living,
03:33and Netanyahu's leadership, the stakes could hardly be higher. It is being dubbed as the most
03:40crucial elections in Israel's history. Tens of thousands of Israelis living abroad are also
03:48returning home to cast their votes.
03:54We hope that the right will win, but people need to go vote. Right now, it doesn't look that way.
04:01There is some pressure in the air with this election and how it will end, but God willing,
04:06we have faith in him that with our efforts, we will emerge as winners.
04:12So how do elections work in Israel? Israel's elections are not fought by individual candidates,
04:18but by political parties. Israel's parliament is called the Knesset. It has 120 seats and a
04:26government generally needs the support of at least 61 members to command a majority. Israel follows a
04:32proportional representation system, which means parties win seats according to their share of the vote.
04:38No single party has ever governed alone, making coalition buildings central to Israeli politics.
04:46And with neither Netanyahu's camp nor the opposition expected to easily secure a majority,
04:52the real battle may begin after the votes are counted. Weeks and months of negotiations could follow.
04:59If no viable government emerges, Israel could even face another election.
05:07This election is being considered as the most defining election of the electoral history of
05:13Israel. And in fact, that is the reason why there is so much of attraction, there is so much of
05:19traction regarding this election in Israel. And you can see the presence of the media outlets as well.
05:24You can see the presence of security personnel also there. And see, the white bus you see at the end
05:32of this vote.
05:32And behind that bus is the polling station. And people are not allowed, especially the media, is not allowed close
05:40to that place because of the security reasons.
05:45Israeli broadcasters will publish exit polls after the votes are cast.
05:49These will give some indications of the direction of voting.
05:55Preliminary results are expected on Wednesday, while official results are due by November 4.
06:01Turnout is also a key factor.
06:04Participation has already reached its highest level at this point on election day in over four decades.
06:11But this election is not just a test for Netanyahu.
06:14It also has implications for U.S. President Donald Trump.
06:18Trump has endorsed Netanyahu days ahead of U.S. midterms with Iran and regional security among the key
06:25issues in the campaign.
06:26Today I'm delighted to welcome Israelis.
06:28He's done a very good job as prime minister under very trying conditions.
06:34The endorsement suggests that two leaders could restart their war against Iran if he wins.
06:40After Trump said they should finish the job.
06:46While a victory could give the two leaders a fresh mandate to pursue their regional priorities,
06:51a Netanyahu defeat could complicate that relationship.
06:56All eyes are now on the results.
06:59Will Bibi win the ballot battle or will he have to bid bye-bye?
07:04With Pranay Upadhyay, Inter-Laviv, Bureau Report, India Today.
07:09See you next time.
07:09I'll be right back.
