Israelis voted on Tuesday in their country’s fourth election in two years, with exit polls showing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may have a chance to form a coalition and stay in power.
The three TV polls showed Mr Netanyahu’s Likud party winning between 31 and 33 seats, although weeks of uncertainty are expected before a government is formed and a fifth election cannot be ruled out.
“I call on everyone to go out of your homes and realise the democratic right to vote,” he said earlier on Tuesday as he cast his ballot in Jerusalem.
Turnout was lower than last March and reached 60.9 per cent at 8pm, the Central Elections Committee said, hinting at voter apathy after three elections in swift succession.
Mr Netanyahu’s popularity has endured despite corruption charges. He appeared in court last month where he denied wrongdoing in three cases.
Jerusalem coffee shop owner Brandon Treger described the premier as “a phenomenal manager of this country”.
Mr Netanyahu has overseen an aggressive vaccination drive in which more than 55 per cent of Israelis have received one dose, allowing the country’s economy to reopen.
But his government has come under criticism from rights groups for providing vaccines to only about 2 per cent of the Palestinian population in Gaza and the West Bank.
“I think his management’s really good but I don’t trust Netanyahu with absolute power. I want him to have good partners,” said Mr Treger, 50, without saying for whom he voted.
The Likud leader will need the support of smaller parties if he is to gain a 61-seat majority in Parliament.
Mr Netanyahu would have to rely once again on religious and right-wing parties, with the possible inclusion of the far-right Religious Zionism alliance.
Led by Bezalel Smotrich, the alliance is forecast to gain six or seven seats, according to exit polls.
Such a result would hand a parliamentary seat to lawyer Itamar Ben-Gvir, who is widely seen as a disciple of the late ultra-nationalist rabbi Meir Kahane.
Mr Treger said he was personally acquainted with Mr Ben-Gvir who “doesn’t talk hatred of anybody”.
Mr Netanyahu has governed since 2009 and has styled himself as the ultimate statesman, steering Israel to four normalisation deals with Arab nations last year and describing himself as a firm friend of former US president Donald Trump.
Likud has well outperformed its closest opponent, the Yesh Atid party led by Yair Lapid, which is forecast to win 16 to 18 seats.
Running under a “sanity” campaign slogan, the former finance minister said on Tuesday that he was the alternative to a “racist, homophobic, Orthodox, extremist government”.
Mr Lapid has won the support of voter Judith Ovadia, who said she was dissatisfied with Mr Netanyahu’s leadership.
“I want Yair Lapid, because he’s very honest and all the time, what he says is what he does and he never changes his mind,” said Ms Ovadia, 69, who was visiting Jerusalem from the northern city of Haifa.
One of her companions voted for Mr Netanyahu while another had switched from the premier to Naftali Bennett of the right-wing Yamina party.
“I think Netanyahu on the whole is a very good prime minister for us, he represents us well all over the world," the Yamina voter said.
"But many people want a change. They might not even know who to vote for, they just want someone different."
While exit polls show the premier may be able to reach a majority, it remains unclear whether parties from across the political spectrum who oppose his rule would be able to form their own coalitions.
The Arab-led Joint List, which gained 15 seats in last year’s election, is due to win eight, exit polls show, having been hindered by the Ra’am party’s decision to run on its own ticket.
The split came after Ra’am leader Mansour Abbas suggested he would be willing to co-operate with Mr Netanyahu, a controversial position for the Joint List, which has vowed to stand in opposition.
But Mr Abbas’s gamble appears to have backfired, with exit polls suggesting Ra’am would fail to pass the electoral threshold.
If confirmed by the final tally, the results would significantly diminish the voice of the Arab-Israeli community in Parliament.
Benny Gantz, who rose to prominence before Israel’s third election as Mr Netanyahu’s top challenger, appeared to have fared slightly better than expected.
Leader of the Blue and White alliance, which exit polls put at seven to eight seats, Mr Gantz saw his popularity fall after he broke an election pledge not to govern alongside Mr Netanyahu.
In May, the political rivals formed a coalition that was beset with mistrust and infighting, lasting seven months before collapsing when the government failed to pass a budget.
After two years of political turmoil, Israelis may have to wait weeks to find out if legislators are able to form a stable government.
Following the exit polls, it could take days for the final results to be known, with coronavirus measures slowing down the count and a large number of absentee ballots.
Consultations will follow between party leaders and President Reuven Rivlin, who will authorise a candidate to form a coalition.
A fifth round of elections will be scheduled if no candidate is able to get a government together by early July.
Speaking at a Jerusalem polling station, Mr Rivlin warned that the spate of elections “erode public trust in the democratic process”.
“I am voting today for the last time as president, but above all, I do so as a concerned citizen. Very concerned,” he said.
The years Ramadan fell in May
Red Joan
Director: Trevor Nunn
Starring: Judi Dench, Sophie Cookson, Tereza Srbova
Rating: 3/5 stars
Dark Souls: Remastered
Developer: From Software (remaster by QLOC)
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Price: Dh199
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EHigh%20fever%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EIntense%20pain%20behind%20your%20eyes%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ESevere%20headache%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EMuscle%20and%20joint%20pains%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ENausea%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EVomiting%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ESwollen%20glands%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ERash%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIf%20symptoms%20occur%2C%20they%20usually%20last%20for%20two-seven%20days%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPowertrain%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle%20electric%20motor%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E201hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E310Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E53kWh%20lithium-ion%20battery%20pack%20(GS%20base%20model)%3B%2070kWh%20battery%20pack%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETouring%20range%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E350km%20(GS)%3B%20480km%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C900%20(GS)%3B%20Dh149%2C000%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
RESULTS
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CABINET%20OF%20CURIOSITIES%20EPISODE%201%3A%20LOT%2036
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EGuillermo%20del%20Toro%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Tim%20Blake%20Nelson%2C%20Sebastian%20Roche%2C%20Elpidia%20Carrillo%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
Roll of honour
Who has won what so far in the West Asia Premiership season?
Western Clubs Champions League - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Bahrain
Dubai Rugby Sevens - Winners: Dubai Exiles; Runners up: Jebel Ali Dragons
West Asia Premiership - Winners: Jebel Ali Dragons; Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Premiership Cup - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Dubai Exiles
West Asia Cup - Winners: Bahrain; Runners up: Dubai Exiles
West Asia Trophy - Winners: Dubai Hurricanes; Runners up: DSC Eagles
Final West Asia Premiership standings - 1. Jebel Ali Dragons; 2. Abu Dhabi Harlequins; 3. Bahrain; 4. Dubai Exiles; 5. Dubai Hurricanes; 6. DSC Eagles; 7. Abu Dhabi Saracens
Fixture (UAE Premiership final) - Friday, April 13, Al Ain – Dubai Exiles v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Pathaan
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Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
UAE%20v%20West%20Indies
%3Cp%3EFirst%20ODI%20-%20Sunday%2C%20June%204%20%0D%3Cbr%3ESecond%20ODI%20-%20Tuesday%2C%20June%206%20%0D%3Cbr%3EThird%20ODI%20-%20Friday%2C%20June%209%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EMatches%20at%20Sharjah%20Cricket%20Stadium.%20All%20games%20start%20at%204.30pm%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20squad%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EMuhammad%20Waseem%20(captain)%2C%20Aayan%20Khan%2C%20Adithya%20Shetty%2C%20Ali%20Naseer%2C%20Ansh%20Tandon%2C%20Aryansh%20Sharma%2C%20Asif%20Khan%2C%20Basil%20Hameed%2C%20Ethan%20D%E2%80%99Souza%2C%20Fahad%20Nawaz%2C%20Jonathan%20Figy%2C%20Junaid%20Siddique%2C%20Karthik%20Meiyappan%2C%20Lovepreet%20Singh%2C%20Matiullah%2C%20Mohammed%20Faraazuddin%2C%20Muhammad%20Jawadullah%2C%20Rameez%20Shahzad%2C%20Rohan%20Mustafa%2C%20Sanchit%20Sharma%2C%20Vriitya%20Aravind%2C%20Zahoor%20Khan%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Pakistanis%20at%20the%20ILT20%20
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The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
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Political flags or banners
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Bikes, skateboards or scooters
