Exit polls on Tuesday showed that the opposition bloc led by Israeli opposition candidate Gadi Eisenkot gained a narrow edge over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud bloc in the Knesset.
Likud, however, was projected to be the largest single party in the Israeli parliament.
Annette Young is pleased to welcome Alain Greilsammer, Professor of Political Science at Bar-Ilan University in Tel Aviv. In the wake of the October 7 attacks, regional tensions with Iran, and deepening domestic divisions, Greilsammer argues that the election will be fundamentally shaped by concerns over democratic accountability, judicial independence and the unequal distribution of civic obligations. He warns Netanyahu’s policies risk transforming Israel into “something like an authoritarian or non-democratic state.” He suggests that Israel’s Arab political parties could play a decisive role in determining the election’s outcome.
Erin Ogunkeye is pleased to welcome Ibrahim Abu Ahmad, Author, Palestinian Israeli political and peace activist and Head of Social Media for Israel's left-wing Democrats. “Currently, the sentiment in Israel is built around fear and trauma,” explains Ahmad. His most striking observation concerns the apparent contradiction between political leadership and public sentiment: “Many want to see an Arab-Jewish coalition. It's the leadership that is afraid to say it.” Ultimately, he moves beyond conventional electoral calculations to frame Arab-Jewish partnership as a question of democratic survival.
Erin Ogunkeye is pleased to welcome Ron Gerlitz, CEO of aChord Center at Hebrew University, an Israeli organization specialising in the social psychology of intergroup relations. “The main issue in this election is the fight for Israeli democracy,” explains Gerlitz. And beneath the struggle over democratic institutions lies the erosion of Benjamin Netanyahu's longstanding association with national security. Gerlitz also examines the psychological foundations of Netanyahu's enduring support, the influence of conspiracy narratives, the electoral significance of Arab parties and the uncertain future of the two-state solution.
French lawmakers held a minute of silence for Pengo Bossio Wangi. The victim of a racist attack died in a shooting last week, while at least five other people were wounded, including a 12-years-old girl. FRANCE 24’s Claire Paccalin reports from the ground.
Israelis were voting Tuesday (October 27) in a tense national election widely seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership since the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel and the wars that have since shaken the Middle East.
Israelis flocked to the polls Tuesday (October 27) in turnout unseen in decades, with a deeply divided electorate delivering a verdict on veteran right-wing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the first election since the October 7, 2023 attack. FRANCE24's Kethevane Gorjestani tells us more.
There is only one week left until the US midterm elections. In Texas, Democratic candidate James Talarico, could win a Senate seat for the first time in decades.
Israelis are voting in a pivotal election Tuesday (October 27) as their country wrestles with unresolved wars, continues to reel from Hamas' 2023 attack and is deeply divided over the character of the state and the right person to lead it. Details by FRANCE 24's International Affairs Editor, Angela Diffley.
Israelis flocked to the polls Tuesday (October 27) in turnout unseen in decades, with a deeply divided electorate delivering a verdict on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the first election since the October 7, 2023 attack. Former FRANCE 24 correspondent, Irris Makler, tells us more.
Supporters of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gathered outside a polling station where the leader was voting on Tuesday. This is Israel's first election since the October7, 2023 Hamas attack and is seen as a referendum on Netanyahu. FRANCE 24's Clovis Casali reports from Jerusalem.
If the French Senate passes this bill, rioters will have to pay for the damage caused during the recent unrest across the country. This "casseurs-payeurs" bill comes in the wake of nationwide violence. This draft law now has an explosive add-on aimed at social media. Senators will vote on whether the government can block platforms that are too slow to act on authorities' reports of dangerous content.
Harry Kane completed his long quest for football's highest individual honour on Monday (October 26), the Bayern Munich and England striker winning the Ballon d'Or after a record-breaking season that cemented his status as one of the game's greatest goalscorers.
A localised ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia took effect early Tuesday (October 27) ahead of a humanitarian mission led by US first lady Melania Trump, as missile attacks resumed in Kyiv. FRANCE 24's correspondent in Kyiv, Emmanuelle Chaze, has more.
Harry Kane became the first Englishman in 25 years to win the Ballon d’Or on Monday. Kane scored 73 goals for club and country last campaign and smashed scoring records at the World Cup, where he captained England to a third-place finish.