As the exit polls for the recently concluded Israel's elections predict Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's defeat, the office of Netanyahu announced on Wednesday that he will not travel to New York next week for the UN General Assembly. Netanyahu was scheduled to speak at the UN General Assembly. Netanyahu's foreign minister Yisrael Katz will speak at the UN General Assembly instead of Netanyahu, the prime minister's spokeswoman said. As per reports, since he came to power in 2009, Netanyahu has participated in all the main debate at the UNGA, except one.

READ | Israel: Netanyahu trails Blue and White by 31-32 seats say exit polls

Netanyahu trails in exit polls

The Central Election Committee (CEC) in Israel said that Blue and White party seemed to be taking the lead over Likud after 91% votes were counted. As per figures shared by the CEC, the centre-left bloc had 56 seats compared to Netanyahu-led bloc, comprised of right-wing and ultra-Orthodox parties, which had 55 seats in the 120-member Parliament. The Joint List, an alliance of mostly Arab Israeli parties, also had gained a seat standing at 13. However, the CEC added that the numbers may change slightly when the votes of soldiers are counted later on Wednesday and Thursday.

READ | Israel votes on Netanyahu's political term; second round of elections

Lieberman and Netanyahu

The secular Yisrael Beitenu party won 9 seats, making its leader and former defence minister Avigdor Lieberman the kingmaker in the elections, as predicted earlier in the exit polls. Lieberman had made it a condition of allying with ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties that they adopt a law aimed at having ultra-Orthodox Jews serve in the military like their secular counterparts. Ultra-Orthodox Jews studying in religious seminaries are currently exempt from mandatory military service, a practice many Israelis view as unfair. Netanyahu and Lieberman's association in politics goes back some 31 years when the latter assisted the former during his tenure as the deputy foreign minister in an unofficial capacity. Netanyahu, who has been premier for a total of more than 13 years, faces charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust in connection with three cases

READ | Israel goes to poll on Tuesday, survival test for Benjamin Netanyahu

Howdy Modi: PM Modi in UNGA

On September 22, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a visit to the United States of America. In his six-day long visit, the Prime Minister is scheduled to address the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Houston-based Texas India Forum will host a community summit in honour of PM Modi at the NRG Stadium on September 22. The NRG stadium is one of America's largest professional football stadiums and is home to the Houston Texans franchise. The Texas India Forum, a not-for-profit organisation, confirmed that they expect 50,000 people to attend the mega event billed as "Howdy, Modi!" Well-known Indian community leader in Houston Jugal Malani who is the convener of the "Howdy, Modi!" organising committee said: "We are excited to hold this summit at the renowned NRG stadium. This will be the largest ever gathering of Indian Americans and friends of India, with a diverse representation from the region and across the country."

READ: PM Narendra Modi to address 50,000 people in US stadium where 2017 Super Bowl was held, event named 'Howdy Modi!'