As Israel goes to an unprecedented repeat polls on Tuesday, merely 160 days after last elections on April 9 that failed to yield a government, central question surrounding voters is if country's longest-serving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will survive toughest political challenge of his life. Haunted by alleged charges of corruption on multiple counts, which he has denied, Netanyahu t only faces a fight for political survival but also personal liberty with a decisive victory probably only thing that could keep him out of his legal woes. Recent poll surveys have shown his ruling Likud party locked in a close contest with challenger Benny Gantz, a former Chief of Staff, leing newly formed Blue and White party that h won 35 seats and tied with Netanyahu's party in April polls.

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April 9 elections fails to yield a govt

last poll results were seen as a major victory for 69-year-old Netanyahu and right-wing formation led by him but hopes of an extended term for Premier were dashed after an old associate, Avigdor Lieberman, turned hostile and refused to support coalition with his five members on question of everybody equally sharing lo of national service. Lieberman, an ultra-nationalist leer backed primarily by a large chunk of immigrant voters from former Soviet Union, demanded that a section of ultra-orthodox population enjoying exemption from military service forego privilege and serve nation like everybody else. His insistence on demand, which would have isolated religious parties, prevented Netanyahu from mustering a 61 member majority in 120 member Knesset (Israeli parliament) by a mere single vote.

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Opinion polls favour Benjamin Netanyahu's opponent

Failing in his efforts to break into Centre and left of Centre political formations, Netanyahu hurriedly called to dissolve parliament and call for fresh elections hoping to discredit Lieberman and get a clear mandate. To his dismay, opinion polls show a bigger mandate for Lieberman (8 to 10 from 5 of last time), who many see as one who may emerge as kingmaker in deciding who les next government. A close look at opinion polls show a clear majority for right-wing bloc, probably with even a higher number than polls in April, but Lieberman's unpredictable moves has definitely h Prime Minister feel worried. ultra-nationalist leer has also kept his cards close to his chest which has me day after elections even more interesting, keeping suspense on. Netanyahu, after an uninterrupted ten and a half years at helm of affairs, has dominated national discourse. He has earned reputation of a "Mr. Security", a leer who has kept ecomy stable during times of recession, and is only leer of some stature that world recognizes.

Benjamin Netanyahu goes all out to win polls

Israeli Prime Minister has t shied away from demonstrating his closeness with world leers. Banners of Netanyahu with US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vlimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Likud Hequarters projecting him "in a different league" are still fresh among his electorates. US President deciding to recognise Jerusalem as Capital of Israel, moving embassy to Jerusalem, recognising Israeli sovereignty over Golan Heights just before April polls h helped Netanyahu boost his campaign. Such "gifts" from world leers have t been coming this time around and Putin did t show any inclination to back him on his anuncement to annex Jordan valley if re-elected during his visit to Sochi a few days back. Trump did try to make it up last Saturday by delivering "a small election gift" by anuncing on Twitter that he was exploring a possible defence pact with Israel.

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While anuncement was less dramatic than Golan anuncement in April, Netanyahu happily accepted gesture, thanking his "dear friend" and dubbing it as "historic." controversial anuncement regarding Jordan valley has also failed to have desirable impact among targeted voting constituency with Likud's poll prospects t getting any boost as per opinion polls. Some analysts have even dubbed it as "election hysteria". Netanyahu's attacks on Israel's Arab mirity has been most controversial attracting worldwide attention. Two developments which may play a role in deciding outcome of polls, as per many columnists, is a definite rise in number of Arab voters going to polls and a near complete turut among ultra-orthodox.

Clouds over Netanyahu's chances to be relected

Arab parties were divided during last polls which dampened spirits in sector registering a record low turut of less than fifty per cent. With Joint List predicted to win more than 10 seats, it is being predicted that voter turut will definitely be significantly higher. high turut among ultra-orthodox is driven by a fear factor emerging out of outcome of last polls. y will come out in large numbers to be in a position to negotiate on matter of exemption from mandatory national service when next government is formed. If final outcome of polls are aligned with surveys n possibility of a national unity government is most realistic one, but suspense over Netanyahu's continuity at helm of Israeli politics hangs in balance just before Israelis go to polls.

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