Israeli elections seen as referendum on Netanyahu who is standing trial on corruption charges
Israelis are voting in general elections today for the fifth time in a little under four years, with the outcome uncertain and the prospect of yet more elections already a possibility.
The poll is being seen as a referendum on former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He is Israel’s longest-serving leader and has been in power for 15 of the past 26 years but now finds himself in opposition.
The latest polls show his political bloc one seat short of an overall majority.
Voter turnout will be an important factor amid fears of apathy.
At the last election, turnout was down to around 67% compared to the previous election, a year earlier, when it was 71.5%.
The economy and security are two of the most important issues for Israelis going into the vote, especially during a period of heightened violence.
Mr Netanyahu is currently standing trial on corruption charges – this has alienated many of his traditional political allies and so he has turned to far-right parties in a bid to build a coalition.
If Mr Netanyahu is elected, it could see a senior ministerial post for Itamar Ben-Gvir, a controversial politician who has been convicted for incitement to racism and was once declared unfit for office by Mr Netanyahu himself.
Recently though, Mr Ben-Gvir has been courted by Mr Netanyahu, who is hoping to benefit from the ultranationalists’ growing appeal, particularly amongst young Israelis.
Itamar Ben-Gvir pictured doing a ‘V for victory’ gesture at a news conference
Mr Netanyahu’s tactic could backfire though – extremist parties have seen a surge in support in recent months, and they could end up taking votes from Mr Netanyahu himself.
Mr Ben-Gvir has regularly been at the centre of trouble in Jerusalem, and his temporary office in the disputed east Jerusalem neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah has caused violent clashes.
‘I’ll mow you down’
During recent violence in the district, he brandished a gun and was heard shouting at Palestinians there, saying: “I’ll mow you down. We’re the landlords here, remember that, I am your landlord.”
Mr Ben-Gvir has repeatedly called for “disloyal” Palestinians to be deported and labelled Arab politicians as “terrorists”.
The current prime minister, Yair Lapid, who heads an interim eight-party coalition government, is campaigning on a promise of unity and stability.
Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid’s party is currently lagging in the polls. Pic: AP
The former television presenter and centrist politician is a well-known figure in Israel but his Yesh Atid party is currently lagging in the polls.
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Whoever wins will likely find it hard to build a coalition capable of governing.
Some 61 seats are need for an outright majority in the 120-seat Knesset, but neither side has so far achieved that in pre-election polling.
Another inconclusive result could lead to drawn out coalition negotiations and possibly a sixth election.
High turnout could help Netanyahu rivals
The election takes place against increasing violence in the West Bank. At least 120 Palestinians and 20 Israelis have been killed this year.
A high turnout amongst the Israeli-Arab population could benefit Mr Netanyahu’s opponents.
The outgoing coalition includes an Arab party, a first in Israeli political history, but their failure to deliver meaningful change or progress for Israeli-Arabs could result in a low turnout amongst that group.
Although the winner is likely to be known late on Tuesday night, negotiations to form a coalition government could take many days, even weeks.
“Super high-IQ revolutionaries” who are willing to work 80+ hours a week are being urged to join Elon Musk’s new cost-cutting department in Donald Trump’s incoming US government.
The X and Tesla owner will co-lead the Department Of Government Efficiency (DOGE) with former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.
And in a post on X, the official DOGE account put out a call to arms for people to sign up and help “dismantle government bureaucracy”.
The post said: “We are very grateful to the thousands of Americans who have expressed interest in helping us at DOGE.
“We don’t need more part-time idea generators.
“We need super high-IQ small-government revolutionaries willing to work 80+ hours per week on unglamorous cost-cutting.
“If that’s you, DM this account with your CV. Elon & Vivek will review the top 1% of applicants.”
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Elon Musk speaking at an event held at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. Pic: AP Photo/Alex Brandon
In a reply to an interested party, Mr Musk suggested the lucky applicants would be working for free.
“Indeed, this will be tedious work, make lost of enemies & compensation is zero,” the world’s richest man wrote.
“What a great deal!”
When announcing the new department, President-elect Donald Trump said Mr Musk and Mr Ramaswamy “will pave the way for my administration to dismantle government bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure federal agencies”.
Mr Musk has previously made clear his desire to see cuts to “government waste” and in a post on his X platform suggested he could axe as many as three-quarters of the more than 400 federal departments in the US, writing: “99 is enough.”
At least 10 people have been killed after a fire broke out at a retirement home in northern Spain in the early hours of this morning, officials have said.
A further two people were seriously injured in the blaze at the residence in the town of Villafranca de Ebro in Zaragoza, according to the Spanish news website Diario Sur.
Two people remain in a critical condition following the blaze. Pic: AP
They remain in a critical condition, while several others received treatment for smoke inhalation.
Firefighters were alerted to the blaze at the residence – the Jardines de Villafranca – at 5am (4am UK time) on Friday.
Several residents were treated for smoke inhalation. Pic: AP
Those who were killed in the fire died from smoke inhalation, Spanish newspaper Heraldo reported.
The residence is home to 82 elderly residents.
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The blaze started in one of the rooms, Fernando Beltran, the national government’s top official in the region, told reporters.
All of the victims were elderly residents, he added.
Relatives wait for news outside the care home. Pic: AP
Fire crews, paramedics and police officers remain on site, said a spokesperson for the regional government of Aragon who confirmed the fatalities.
It took firefighters several hours to extinguish the blaze, they said.
The cause of the fire is unknown and is being investigated.
At least 10 people have been killed after a fire broke out at a retirement home in northern Spain in the early hours of this morning, officials have said.
A further two people were seriously injured in the blaze at the residence in the town of Villafranca de Ebro in Zaragoza, according to the Spanish news website Diario Sur.
Two people remain in a critical condition following the blaze. Pic: AP
They remain in a critical condition, while several others received treatment for smoke inhalation.
Firefighters were alerted to the blaze at the residence – the Jardines de Villafranca – at 5am (4am UK time) on Friday.
Several residents were treated for smoke inhalation. Pic: AP
Those who were killed in the fire died from smoke inhalation, Spanish newspaper Heraldo reported.
The residence is home to 82 elderly residents.
Read more from Sky News:
Mass displacement in Gaza – people unsure where to go
Donald Trump picks vaccine sceptic as health secretary
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
The blaze started in one of the rooms, Fernando Beltran, the national government’s top official in the region, told reporters.
All of the victims were elderly residents, he added.
Relatives wait for news outside the care home. Pic: AP
Fire crews, paramedics and police officers remain on site, said a spokesperson for the regional government of Aragon who confirmed the fatalities.
It took firefighters several hours to extinguish the blaze, they said.
The cause of the fire is unknown and is being investigated.
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