Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gestures at Likud Party election campaign headquarters in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Sept. 18, 2019. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday he will start negotiating with possible coalition partners to form "a strong Zionist government" in the wake of closely-fought elections. Exit polls showed Netanyahu's main challenger, Benny Gantz and his Blue and White party, had a slight lead in Tuesday's parliamentary elections. (JINI via Xinhua)
JERUSALEM, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's main challenger Benny Gantz said on Wednesday morning that it is too early to declare a victory in the country's parliamentary elections and called for a unity government.
Initial exit polls posted by Israel's three main TV channels showed Gantz's centrist Blue and White party had a slight lead over Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party in Tuesday's vote, hurting Netanyahu's chances of winning a record-breaking fifth term.
The polls gave Blue and White 32 to 34 of parliament's 120 seats, versus 30 to 33 for Likud. Neither party appears to have enough support to form a majority coalition in parliament with their traditional allies, raising the possibility that they will have to form a broad unity government.
"It is too early to call but it seems that we have accomplished our mission," Gantz told his supporters at a post-election rally in the party's campaign headquarters in Tel Aviv.
However, he asked them to wait for the final results, which are expected to be released later on Wednesday.
Gantz then said he will act to form a broad unity government that will express the will of the people.
The polls showed that the people of Israel prefer "unity and clean politics," he said.
"The journey to mend the rifts in the Israeli society starts tonight," he said, adding that he is ready to speak to everyone.
Gantz said he has started talks with possible partners in the left wing, including the newly reunified Arab parties which run under the Joint List alliance. According to the polls, the Arab parties could win 13 to 15 seats, which would make them the third-largest force in parliament.
He added that he also intends to talk in the next few days with Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the nationalist Yisrael Beitenu party. Lieberman, whose party could play a kingmaker role, urged on Tuesday night Gantz and Netanyahu to agree on a unity government.
The unprecedented elections, the second in five months, were called by Netanyahu after he failed to form a ruling coalition following the April ballot.
The prime minister is a suspect in several criminal corruption cases and may face indictment after the elections.
