September 2019 Israeli legislative election

{{short description|none}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}}

{{Infobox legislative election

| country = Israel

| previous_election = Apr 2019

| next_election = 2020

| election_date = 17 September 2019

| seats_for_election = All 120 seats in the Knesset

| majority_seats = 61

| turnout = 69.83% ({{gain}}1.37pp)

| party1 = Blue and White (political alliance)

| leader1 = {{nowrap|Benny Gantz}}

| percentage1 = 25.95

| seats1 = 33

| last_election1 = 35

| party2 = Likud

| leader2 = Benjamin Netanyahu

| percentage2 = 25.10

| seats2 = 32

| last_election2 = 38

| party3 = Joint List

| leader3 = Ayman Odeh

| percentage3 = 10.60

| seats3 = 13

| last_election3 = 10

| party4 = Shas

| leader4 = Aryeh Deri

| percentage4 = 7.44

| seats4 = 9

| last_election4 = 8

| party5 = Yisrael Beiteinu

| leader5 = Avigdor Lieberman

| percentage5 = 6.99

| seats5 = 8

| last_election5 = 5

| party6 = United Torah Judaism

| leader6 = Yaakov Litzman

| percentage6 = 6.06

| seats6 = 7

| last_election6 = 8

| party7 = Yamina

| color7 = #CAD93B

| leader7 = Ayelet Shaked

| percentage7 = 5.87

| seats7 = 7

| last_election7 = 6

| party8 = LaborGesher

| leader8 = Amir Peretz

| percentage8 = 4.80

| seats8 = 6

| last_election8 = 6

| party9 = Democratic Union

| leader9 = Nitzan Horowitz

| percentage9 = 4.34

| seats9 = 5

| last_election9 = 4

| title = Prime Minister

| before_election = Benjamin Netanyahu
(caretaker government)

| before_party = Likud

| after_election = Benjamin Netanyahu
(caretaker government)

| after_party = Likud

}}

Legislative elections were held in Israel on 17 September 2019 to elect the 120 members of the 22nd Knesset. Following the previous elections in April, incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to form a governing coalition.[https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Elections-set-for-Sept-17-after-coalition-talks-fail-591044 Israel goes back to elections as Netanyahu fails to form coalition] The Jerusalem Post, 30 May 2019 On 30 May, the Knesset voted to dissolve itself and trigger new elections, in order to prevent Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz from being appointed Prime Minister-designate.{{Cite news|url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Elections-set-for-Sept-17-after-coalition-talks-fail-591044 |title=Israel goes back to elections as Netanyahu fails to form coalition |date=30 May 2019 |work=The Jerusalem Post |access-date=30 May 2019 |author1=Gil Hoffman|author2=Lahav Harkov|author1-link=Gil Hoffman }} This election marked the first time the Knesset voted to dissolve itself before a government had been formed.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/30/world/middleeast/israel-elections-netanyahu.html|title=What You Need to Know About Israel's New Elections|work=The New York Times|author=Megan Specia|date=30 May 2019|access-date=5 June 2019}}

Background

{{main|2018–2022 Israeli political crisis}}

{{further|Thirty-fourth government of Israel|April 2019 Israeli legislative election|List of members of the twenty-first Knesset}}

Following the April 2019 elections, Likud leader and incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had until the end of 29 May to form a governing coalition, including a two-week extension granted by President Reuven Rivlin.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-israel-politics/israels-netanyahu-gets-two-week-extension-to-form-government-idUKKCN1SJ18E|title=Israel's Netanyahu gets two-week extension to form government|work=Reuters|author=Jeffrey Heller|date=13 May 2019}} Though the deadline passed without a coalition being formed and Rivlin would have been tasked with appointing a new Prime Minister-designate, presumed to be Blue and White party head Benny Gantz, Netanyahu successfully pushed to dissolve the Knesset to avoid this.{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/knesset-votes-for-new-elections-on-september-17-after-pm-fails-to-form-coalition/|title=Knesset votes for new elections on September 17 after PM fails to form coalition|work=The Times of Israel|language=en|date=30 May 2019|access-date=17 September 2019|author1=Tamar Pileggi|author2=Raoul Wootliff}}

Negotiations between Netanyahu and a number of potential coalition partners stalled.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-politics/netanyahu-could-face-election-rematch-after-ballot-he-said-he-won-idUSKCN1SY15X|title=Netanyahu could face election rematch after ballot he said he won|work=Reuters|author=Jeffrey Heller|date=28 May 2019}} One sticking point between Netanyahu and Yisrael Beitenu leader Avigdor Lieberman was the passage of a draft law which is opposed by the Haredi parties in the coalition.{{cite web|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/263832|title=Liberman: We will not give up on our principles|work=Arutz Sheva|date=28 May 2019}} The law would remove the current exemption of yeshiva students from conscription.{{cite web|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/elections/after-netanyahu-fails-to-form-government-israel-to-hold-new-election-1.7306156|title=After Netanyahu Fails to Form Government, Israel to Hold New Election|date=30 May 2019|work=Haaretz}} Netanyahu needed both Yisrael Beitenu and the Haredi parties in his coalition in order to have enough seats to form a majority.{{Cite news|url=https://www.israelhayom.com/2019/05/28/pm-lieberman-reportedly-drafting-deal-to-avert-early-election/|title=PM, Lieberman reportedly drafting deal to avert early election|date=28 May 2019|work=Israel Hayom|access-date=28 May 2019}}

As an alternative, Netanyahu approached Labor about the possibility of their support, but they rejected the offer. Meanwhile, Netanyahu's legal troubles overshadowed further possible coalition negotiations, with Blue and White refusing to work with him in the circumstances. The new elections also mean Netanyahu's proposed immunity law cannot proceed for the time being.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/29/world/middleeast/israel-election-benjamin-netanyahu.html|title=After Coalition Talks Crumble, Israel on Course for Another Election|first=Isabel|last=Kershner|date=29 May 2019|work=The New York Times}}

On 28 May, the Knesset passed on first reading a bill which would dissolve the Knesset and force a snap election. This move was intended to place additional pressure on coalition partners to reach an agreement in time, as well as to prevent Gantz from being given the opportunity to put together a coalition should the deadline pass.{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-issues-cryptic-hint-that-snap-elections-may-be-averted/|title=Netanyahu issues cryptic hint that snap elections may be averted|work=The Times of Israel|language=en-US|access-date=30 May 2019}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/bill-to-dissolve-knesset-advances-after-being-approved-in-its-first-reading/|title=Bill to dissolve Knesset, call elections on September 17 approved in 1st reading|date=28 May 2019|work=The Times of Israel}} Later that day, the committee approved the bill for second and third reading.{{Cite news|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/263828|title=Bill to dissolve Knesset approved in second and third reading|date=28 May 2019|work=Arutz Sheva}}

Late in the evening on 29 May, it was announced that talks had failed. That night, and into the morning of 30 May, the Knesset passed second and third readings of the bill to dissolve itself and force a snap election with a vote of 74 in favour to 45 against.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-48454514|title=Fresh election in Israel as coalition talks fail|date=29 May 2019|access-date=29 May 2019|language=en-GB|work=BBC}} The 45 votes against the resolution came from the entire membership of three parties: the Blue and White alliance (35 votes), Labor (6 votes), and Meretz (4 votes). All other Knesset members voted for the resolution, with the exception of Roy Folkman, who was absent.

The election was held on 17 September 2019.

Electoral system

{{further|Elections in Israel}}

The 120 seats in the Knesset are elected by closed list proportional representation in a single nationwide constituency. The electoral threshold for the election is 3.25%. In most cases, this implies a minimum party size of four seats, but it is mathematically possible for a party to pass the electoral threshold and have only three seats (since 3.25% of 120 members = 3.9 members).{{cite news|title=With Bader-Ofer method, not every ballot counts|url=http://www.jpost.com/Israel-Elections/With-Bader-Ofer-method-not-every-ballot-counts-394027|work=The Jerusalem Post|date=16 March 2014}}

= Surplus-vote agreements =

{{further|D'Hondt method}}

Two parties can sign an agreement that allows them to compete for leftover seats as though they are running together on the same list. The Bader–Ofer method disproportionately favors larger lists, meaning that such an alliance is more likely to receive leftover seats than both of its comprising lists would be individually. If the alliance receives leftover seats, the Bader–Ofer calculation is then applied privately, to determine how the seats are divided among the two allied lists.[https://www.knesset.gov.il/lexicon/eng/seats_eng.htm The Distribution of Knesset Seats Among the Lists—the Bader-Offer Method], Knesset website The following agreements were signed by parties prior to the election:

  • Yamina and Likud{{cite news|title=Yemina signs surplus voter agreement with the Likud |url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/Flash.aspx/468231|work=Arutz Sheva|date=21 August 2019|access-date=21 August 2019}}
  • Democratic Union and LaborGesher{{cite news|title=Labor and the Democratic camp signed a surplus vote agreement |url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/Flash.aspx/468229|work=Arutz Sheva|date=21 August 2019|access-date=21 August 2019}}
  • United Torah Judaism and Shas{{cite news|title=Shas, UTJ sign vote-sharing agreement ahead of election|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/shas-utj-sign-vote-sharing-agreement-ahead-of-election/|work=The Times of Israel|date=4 September 2019}}
  • Blue and White and Yisrael Beiteinu{{cite news|title=Yisrael Beytenu signs vote-sharing agreement with Blue and White|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/267652|work=Arutz Sheva|date=20 August 2019|access-date=20 August 2019}}

Parties

{{main list|Party lists for the September 2019 Israeli legislative election}}

{{see also|List of political parties in Israel}}

= Parliamentary factions =

{{Unreferenced section|date=September 2019}}

The table below lists the parliamentary factions represented in the 21st Knesset.

{| class="wikitable"

|-

! rowspan="2" colspan=2| Name

! rowspan="2"| Ideology

! rowspan="2"| Symbol

! rowspan="2"| Primary demographic

! rowspan="2"| Leader

! colspan="2"| April 2019 result

|-

! Votes (%)

! Seats

|-

| style="background:{{party color|Likud}};"|

| Likud

| National liberalism

| {{Script/Hebrew|מחל}}

| –

| Benjamin Netanyahu

| style="text-align:center;"|26.46%

| {{Composition bar|35|120|{{party color|Likud}}}}

|-

| style="background:{{party color|Blue and White}};"|

| Blue and White

| Liberalism

| {{Script/Hebrew|פה}}

| –

| Benny Gantz, Yair Lapid

| style="text-align:center;"|26.13%

| {{Composition bar|35|120|{{party color|Blue and White}}}}

|-

| style="background:{{party color|Shas}};"|

| Shas

| Religious conservatism

| {{Script/Hebrew|שס}}

| Sephardi and
Mizrahi Haredim

| Aryeh Deri

| style="text-align:center;"| 5.99%

| {{Composition bar|8|120|{{party color|Shas}}}}

|-

| style="background:{{party color|United Torah Judaism}};"|

| United Torah Judaism

| Religious conservatism

| {{Script/Hebrew|ג}}

| Ashkenazi Haredim

| Yaakov Litzman

| style="text-align:center;"| 5.78%

| {{Composition bar|8|120|{{party color|United Torah Judaism}}}}

|-

|style="background:{{party color|Hadash}};"|

| HadashTa'al

| Communism
Arab nationalism

| {{Script/Hebrew|ום}}

| Israeli Arabs

| Ayman Odeh

| style="text-align:center;" | 4.49%

| {{Composition bar|6|120|{{party color|Hadash}}}}

|-

| style="background:{{party color|Israeli Labor Party}};"|

| Labor

| Social democracy

| {{Script/Hebrew|אמת}}

| –

| Avi Gabbay

| style="text-align:center;" | 4.43%

| {{Composition bar|6|120|{{party color|Israeli Labor Party}}}}

|-

| style="background:{{party color|Yisrael Beiteinu}};"|

| Yisrael Beiteinu

| Nationalism
Secularism

| {{Script/Hebrew|ל}}

| Russian-speakers

| Avigdor Lieberman

| style="text-align:center;"| 4.01%

| {{Composition bar|5|120|{{party color|Yisrael Beiteinu}}}}

|-

| style="background:{{party color|Union of Right-Wing Parties}};"|

| Union of Right-Wing Parties

| Religious conservatism

| {{Script/Hebrew|טב}}

| Modern Orthodox and
Chardal Jews

| Rafi Peretz

| style="text-align:center;"| 3.70%

| {{Composition bar|5|120|{{party color|Union of Right-Wing Parties}}}}

|-

| style="background:{{party color|Meretz}};"|

| Meretz

| Social democracy
Secularism

| {{Script/Hebrew|מרצ}}

| –

| Tamar Zandberg

| style="text-align:center;"| 3.63%

| {{Composition bar|4|120|{{party color|Meretz}}}}

|-

| style="background:{{party color|Kulanu}};"|

| Kulanu

| Economic egalitarianism

| {{Script/Hebrew|כ}}

| –

| Moshe Kahlon

| style="text-align:center;"| 3.54%

| {{Composition bar|4|120|{{party color|Kulanu}}}}

|-

|style="background:{{party color|United Arab List}}|

| Ra'amBalad

| Islamism
Arab nationalism

| {{Script/Hebrew|דעם}}

| Israeli Arabs

| Mansour Abbas

| style="text-align:center;" | 3.33%

| {{Composition bar|4|120|{{party color|United Arab List}}}}

|}

= Contesting parties =

The Likud (election symbol: {{Script/Hebrew|מחל}}) was tied with Blue and White for the largest political party in the 21st Knesset, with 35 of the 120 seats. It is the party of Israel's current prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, who is seeking to gain more power to build a government after failing to do so following the April election. Prior to the September election, the Likud and Kulanu parties announced on 29 May their intention to run together in the new election.{{Cite news |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/likud-okays-merger-with-kulanu-confirms-netanyahu-as-pm-candidate/|title=Likud okays merger with Kulanu, confirms Netanyahu as PM candidate|work=The Times of Israel|author=Marissa Newman|access-date=29 May 2019|date=28 May 2019}} Kulanu officially dissolved itself and its remaining members joined the Likud on 31 July,{{cite news |title=הסוף של מפלגת כולנו: כחלון התפקד לליכוד |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-5561400,00.html |work=ynet |date=31 July 2019 |language=he |author=מורן אזולאי}} bringing Likud's Knesset representation up to 38 seats.{{cite news |title=Yisrael Hayom & I24NEWS Poll: Blue & White 32, Likud 30, Joint List 11, Yisrael Beitenu 11, Yamina 10; Scenario Poll w/o Otzma/Noam/Zehut: Likud 31, Blue & White 32, Yamina 12 |url=https://knessetjeremy.com/2019/08/30/yisrael-hayom-poll-blue-white-32-likud-30-joint-list-11-yisrael-beitenu-11-yamina-10-scenario-poll-w-o-otzma-noam-zehut-likud-31-blue-white-32-yamina-12/ |work=Jeremy's Knesset Insider |date=30 August 2019 |access-date=18 September 2019}}

The Blue and White (election symbol: {{Script/Hebrew|פה}}) alliance was created ahead of the April 2019 election and ended up being tied with Likud for the largest political party in the 21st Knesset, with 35 seats. Despite suggestions that the alliance should make changes due to their failure to achieve a majority in the April election, the alliance confirmed on 2{{nbsp}}June 2019 that it will keep the same rotating premiership of Benny Gantz and Yair Lapid as in the previous election.{{Cite news|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/blue-and-white-gantz-lapid-to-keep-deal-to-rotate-premiership/|title=Blue and White: Gantz, Lapid to keep deal to rotate premiership|work=The Times of Israel|access-date=2 June 2019|date=2 June 2019}} The party decided to run with the almost exact same list as they did in the April elections. Blue and White has ruled out sitting with Benjamin Netanyahu, due to the corruption investigations against him; however, it has not ruled out creating a National unity government with Likud if it replaced Netanyahu.{{Cite news|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/gantz-says-in-talks-with-likud-reps-over-unity-government-sans-netanyahu/|title=Gantz says 'in talks' with Likud reps over unity government sans Netanyahu|work=Times of Israel|author=Raoul Wootliff|access-date=2 August 2019|date=15 July 2019}}

The Joint List (election symbol: {{Script/Hebrew|ודעם}}) alliance (which was dissolved ahead of the April 2019 elections) was reformed ahead of the September 2019 elections. It is made up of four ideologically diverse Arab Israeli parties, who together had 10 seats in the 21st Knesset. The Ra'am, Hadash, and Ta'al factions announced on 27 July that the alliance would be re-established,{{cite news |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/arab-parties-said-to-reach-deal-to-revive-joint-list/|title=Three Arab parties agree on joint Knesset run; Balad expected to decide Sunday|date=27 June 2019|access-date=27 July 2019 |work=The Times of Israel}} Balad decided to join the next day.{{cite news |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/nationalist-balad-party-announces-it-will-run-on-joint-list-in-autumn-elections/|title=Nationalist Balad party announces it will run on Joint List in autumn elections|date=29 July 2019|work=The Times of Israel|author=Adam Rasgon}} The list is led by Hadash Chairman Ayman Odeh, who also led the alliance in the 2015 election. Odeh said he is open to cooperation with Blue and White, but he would not join their coalition.{{Cite news|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/top-arab-mk-says-open-to-joining-gantz/|title=Top Arab MK says open to 'joining' Gantz|work=Times of Israel|author=Raoul Wootliff|access-date=2 August 2019|date=2 August 2019}}

Shas (election symbol: {{Script/Hebrew|שס}}) was the third largest political party in the 21st Knesset, with eight seats. Shas is led by Minister of Interior Aryeh Deri. Shas is a Mizrahi and Sephardi Haredi party, primarily concerned with rights and funding for those demographics. Shas declared early on that it was going to support Benjamin Netanyahu for prime minister, and ruled out sitting with Blue and White, due to disagreements with Blue and White leader Yair Lapid.{{Cite news|url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel-Elections/Deri-says-Shas-backing-Netanyahu-for-PM-blames-Liberman-for-elections-596442|title=Deri says Shas backing Netanyahu for PM, blames Liberman for elections|work=The Jerusalem Post|author=Jeremy Sharon|access-date=13 August 2019|date=22 July 2019}}

United Torah Judaism (UTJ) (election symbol: {{Script/Hebrew|ג}}) was the fourth largest political alliance in the 21st Knesset, with eight seats. UTJ is an alliance of two Ashkenazi Haredi parties (Agudat Yisrael and Degel HaTorah), and is mainly concerned with preserving funding and rights for their sector of the population. UTJ is led by Deputy Minister of Health Yaakov Litzman. Much like its Mizrahi counterpart Shas, UTJ declared early on that it was going to support Benjamin Netanyahu for prime minister, and ruled out sitting with Blue and White, due to disagreements with Blue and White leader Yair Lapid.{{Cite news|url=https://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Litzman-vows-UTJ-wont-enter-coalition-with-Blue-and-White-585988|title=Litzman vows UTJ won't enter coalition with Blue and White|work=The Jerusalem Post|author=Staff|access-date=13 August 2019|date=7 April 2019}}

The LaborGesher (election symbol: {{Script/Hebrew|אמת}}) alliance includes the Labor party, which was the sixth largest party in the 21st Knesset with six seats, and Gesher, a party led by Orly Levy-Abekasis which did not pass the electoral threshold in the April election. Due to its collapse in the April election, Labor held its leadership primary on 2{{nbsp}}July, which was won by Amir Peretz.{{Cite news|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/ailing-labor-elects-past-chairman-amir-peretz-to-lead-it-through-next-election/|title=Ailing Labor elects past chairman Amir Peretz to lead it through next election|work=The Times of Israel|access-date=2 July 2019|date=2 July 2019|author=Raoul Wootliff}} Following his victory, Peretz rejected merging into a greater leftist bloc and declared that he wanted to bring in new crowds to the party, and it was announced on 18 July 2019 that Labor and Gesher will run on a joint list,{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/labors-peretz-joins-forces-with-orly-levy-abekasis-shuns-meretz/|title=Labor's Peretz joins forces with Orly Levy-Abekasis, shuns Meretz|work=The Times of Israel|author1=Michael Bachner|date=18 July 2019|access-date=18 July 2019}} with seven seats on the list reserved for Labor and three for Gesher.{{cite news |url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Centist-left-wing-parties-gang-up-on-Ehud-Barak-596087 |title=Labor nabs Orly Levy-Abekasis, Left joint list called off |date=18 July 2019 |work=The Jerusalem Post|author1=Gil Hoffman|author2=Jeremy Sharon|author3=Tamar Beeri|access-date=18 July 2019}}

Yisrael Beiteinu (election symbol: {{Script/Hebrew|ל}}) was the seventh largest party in the 21st Knesset, with five seats. The party has been led since its founding by Avigdor Lieberman, and it is running with the same list it presented in the April election. Lieberman sparked the repeat election by refusing to join Netanyahu's coalition, citing differences with the Haredi parties over drafting Haredi into the military. Due to his opposition to Netanyahu's Haredi coalition partners, Lieberman has declared that he will support only a unity government between Likud and Blue & White.{{cite news |title=Lieberman announces call to bring Likud and Blue and White into unity government|url=https://www.jns.org/lieberman-announces-call-to-bring-likud-and-blue-and-white-into-unity-government/|work=Jewish News Syndicate |date=16 June 2019|access-date=2 August 2019|author=Dov Lipman}}

Yamina{{cite web|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/267286|title=United Right to run under name 'Yemina'|work=Arutz Sheva|date=12 August 2019}} (election symbol: {{Script/Hebrew|טב}}) is an alliance of several Religious Zionist parties headed by Ayelet Shaked. It is made up of the Union of Right-Wing Parties, which was the eighth largest party in the Knesset with five seats, and the New Right, which did not pass the electoral threshold. After long-winded negotiations between the two factions, URWP leader Rafi Peretz agreed on 28 July to give Ayelet Shaked the number one spot on the United Right list.{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/peretz-agrees-to-give-shaked-no-1-spot-on-right-wing-knesset-list/|title=Peretz agrees to give Shaked No.1 spot on right-wing Knesset list|work=The Times of Israel|access-date=28 July 2019|date=28 July 2019|author=Tamar Pileggi}} The next day, an agreement between the Union of Right-Wing Parties and the New Right was announced.{{cite web|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/266645|title=New Right, United Right reach final agreement on joint run|website=Israel National News|language=en|access-date=29 July 2019|date=29 July 2019|author=Staff}} The two parties of the URWP, Tkuma{{cite web|url=https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/266772|title=National Union party approves joint run with New Right|website=Israel National News|language=en|access-date=31 July 2019|date=31 July 2019}} and The Jewish Home,{{cite web|url=https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/266774|title=Jewish Home party approves unity deal with New Right|website=Israel National News|language=en|access-date=31 July 2019|date=31 July 2019}} both voted on and approved the run with the New Right on 31 July. Part of the deal stipulated that the list would support Benjamin Netanyahu for the position of prime minister, despite resistance to this from the New Right.

The Democratic Union (election symbol: {{Script/Hebrew|מרצ}}) alliance includes several left-wing parties, who decided to run together in the September elections. The alliance was announced on 25 July 2019 and is led by Nitzan Horowitz. It will be made up of Meretz, the ninth largest party in the 21st Knesset with four seats, the new Israel Democratic Party formed by former prime minister Ehud Barak, Israeli Labor Party defector Stav Shaffir, and the extra-parliamentary Green Movement. The alliance declared that it would not sit with Netanyahu under any circumstances.{{cite news |title=Polls show Democratic Union Party to net 8–12 seats |url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel-Elections/New-left-wing-bloc-formed-overnight-596771 |work=The Jerusalem Post |date=25 July 2019|access-date=27 July 2019|author1=Gil Hoffman|author2=Jeremy Sharon}}

Otzma Yehudit (election symbol: {{Script/Hebrew|כף}}) was part of the Union of Right-Wing Parties in the April elections, but left after URWP members would not resign to allow Itamar Ben-Gvir to become a Knesset member; in addition, Otzma was unwilling to leave Baruch Marzel and Ben-Zion Gopstein off the electoral slate, as demanded by Rafi Peretz.{{Cite news|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/otzma-yehudits-ben-gvir-on-urwp-i-hope-they-pass-electoral-threshold/|title=Right-wing URWP apparently cracking, with Otzma Yehudit set to run separately|date=5 July 2019|work=The Times of Israel|access-date=16 September 2019}} Otzma is led by Ben-Gvir. The United Right (which later renamed itself Yamina) attempted to convince Otzma Yehudit to re-enter their alliance, but Otzma declined their offer, calling it "insulting".{{cite news |title=Far-right Alliance Fizzles as Kahanist Party Announces Solo Run |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/elections/.premium-israeli-far-right-makes-final-bid-for-unity-as-party-registration-deadline-looms-1.7610690|work=Haaretz |date=1 August 2019|access-date=2 August 2019|author=Yotam Berger }} Otzma Yehudit initially signed a deal with Noam, but ran independently following a split between itself and Noam.

= Withdrawn parties =

Zehut (election symbol: {{Script/Hebrew|ז}}) was the 13th largest party in the April election, receiving 2.74% of the vote and not passing the electoral threshold. Zehut is led by Moshe Feiglin. The party was initially interested in running in a joint list with the New Right, but was rejected when the New Right decided to run with the URWP instead. Following this, Zehut decided it would run alone.{{cite news|work=Arutz Sheva|url=https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/266752|title=It's final: Moshe Feiglin's Zehut is running alone|date=31 July 2019|author=Hezki Baruch|access-date=31 July 2019}} On 29 August 2019, Zehut leader Moshe Feiglin announced an agreement with Prime Minister Netanyahu had been reached and that Zehut would withdraw from the election in return for Feiglin serving as a minister in the next government, and the promise that Likud will implement some of Zehut's economic and cannabis reforms.{{cite news|url=https://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Netanyahu-promises-Zehuts-Feiglin-ministerial-position-in-government-600099|title=Netanyahu promises Feiglin ministry so that Zehut Party ends race|work=The Jerusalem Post|date=29 August 2019|access-date=29 August 2019|author=Gil Hoffman}} Tamar Zandberg of the Democratic Union said her party plans to appeal the deal to the Central Elections Committee, on the grounds that the deal might constitute election bribery under Israeli law.{{cite news |title=Zehut bows out of elections after Netanyahu promises Feiglin a cabinet post |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/zehut-bows-out-of-elections-after-netanyahu-promises-feiglin-a-cabinet-post/ |access-date=29 August 2019 |work=The Times of Israel |date=29 August 2019}} The deal was approved in a referendum by 77% of Zehut party members on 1{{nbsp}}September.{{cite news |title=Zehut members overwhelmingly back deal to end Knesset bid|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/268235|access-date=1 September 2019 |work=Arutz Sheva|date=1 September 2019|author=Hezki Baruch}}

Noam (election symbol: {{Script/Hebrew|כ}}) is a new religious Zionist party which was announced on 12 July 2019, which will be backed by Rabbi Zvi Thau of the Har Hamor yeshiva and led by Rabbi Dror Aryeh.{{cite web|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/265889|title=New Religious Zionist party named|work=Arutz Sheva|author=David Rosenberg|date=12 July 2019|access-date=12 July 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.kipa.co.il/%D7%97%D7%93%D7%A9%D7%95%D7%AA/943680-%D7%A2%D7%9B%D7%A9%D7%99%D7%95-%D7%96%D7%94-%D7%A8%D7%A9%D7%9E%D7%99-%D7%9C%D7%9E%D7%A4%D7%9C%D7%92%D7%94-%D7%94%D7%97%D7%93%D7%A9%D7%94-%D7%A9%D7%9C-%D7%94%D7%A8-%D7%94%D7%9E%D7%95%D7%A8-%D7%99%D7%A9-%D7%9B%D7%91%D7%A8-%D7%A9%D7%9D-%D7%97%D7%93%D7%A9/|title=למפלגה החדשה של הר המור יש שם חדש: מפלגת נעם|date=12 July 2019|website=Kippah}} The party announced on 28 July that it had agreed to a joint run with Otzma Yehudit,{{Cite news |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/peretz-agrees-to-give-shaked-no-1-spot-on-right-wing-knesset-list/|title=Peretz agrees to give Shaked No.1 spot on right-wing Knesset list|work=The Times of Israel|author=Tamar Pileggi|access-date=28 July 2019|date=28 July 2019}} which Otzma approved the next day,{{cite web|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/Flash.aspx/465681|title=Otzma Yehudit approves joint run with No'am|work=Arutz Sheva|date=29 July 2019|access-date=29 July 2019}} though they split on 1{{nbsp}}August because Noam did not agree with Otzma including a secular Jewish candidate on the combined list.{{cite news|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/266812|title=Otzma Yehudit and Noam cancel joint run|work=Arutz Sheva|author=Hezki Baruch|date=1 August 2019|access-date=1 August 2019}} Following the failed deal with Otzma, Noam decided to run alone.{{cite news|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/266818|title=Right-wing Noam party files for independent Knesset run|work=Arutz Sheva|author=David Rosenberg|date=1 August 2019|access-date=1 August 2019}} The party launched a signature campaign on 27 August to gauge support,{{cite web|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/267987|title=Noam party embarks on 'signature campaign'|work=Arutz Sheva|author=Hezki Baruch|date=27 August 2019|access-date=27 August 2019}} and dropped out of the race on 15 September.{{Cite news |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/fringe-far-right-party-noam-quits-knesset-race-2-days-before-elections/|title=Fringe far-right party Noam quits Knesset race 2 days before elections|work=The Times of Israel|author=Michael Bachner|access-date=15 September 2019|date=15 September 2019}}

Opinion polls

{{main|Opinion polling for the September 2019 Israeli legislative election}}

{{#section-h: Opinion polling for the September 2019 Israeli legislative election|Graphs}}

Allegations of misconduct

During election day, a number of parties complained to the Election Committee. Blue and White, Yamina, and the Israeli Labor Party complained that a number of polling stations had fake slips for their parties.{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/kann_news/status/1173915020167720960|title=יום הבחירות—העבודה הגישה תלונה נגד הליכוד בטענה שפעילים החליפו את פתקי ההצבעה של המפלגה בפתקים ישנים של העבודה, בראשות אבי גבאי, בכמה קלפיות בבאר שבע @yaara_shapira|first=כאן|last=חדשות|date=17 September 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/kann_news/status/1173872162391908353|title=הבחירות לכנסת ה-22—מבזק מיוחד—תלונות נקודתיות על תעמולה באזורי הקלפיות. תוצאות האמת יתחילו לזרום בשעה 02:00 בלילה. ראש הממשלה נתניהו ויו"ר כחול לבן גנץ הצביעו והפצירו לצאת ולבחור. וגם: פרטים חדשים על המבצע שבוטל בעזה ברגע האחרון @antonia_yaminpic.twitter.com/ODP30ZByG7|first=כאן|last=חדשות|date=17 September 2019}} Due to multiple claims of voting slip vandalism, the Central Elections Committee instructed election officials to count the slip as long as the letters were right and, if the slip was vandalized, with the sole purpose of invalidating it.{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/elections-chief-okays-vandalized-voting-slips/|title=Elections chief okays vandalized voting slips|website=The Times of Israel|date=17 September 2019|access-date=17 September 2019}}

The official election committee published a notice regarding people who were impersonating committee officials in Kafr Qasim.{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/kann_news/status/1173903669244366848|title=הבחירות לכנסת ה-22—מבזק—שורת תלונות הגיעה לוועדת הבחירות המרכזית בהן התחזות בכפר קאסם ומניעת הצבעה מנשים בהרצליה בגלל כיסוי הראש שלהן. מאמרים בעיתונות הפלסטינית קוראים לערביי ישראל לצאת להצביע @antonia_yaminpic.twitter.com/EbrkQIPp55|first=כאן|last=חדשות|date=17 September 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/kann_news/status/1173874821282848768|title=יום הבחירות—מזכיר קלפי בכפר קאסם זיהה אדם שהתחזה למפקח בחירות. המקרה הועבר לטיפול המשטרה @amotzsh|first=כאן|last=חדשות|date=17 September 2019}}

Likud was criticised for giving out gifts at polling stations in Netanya and Kfar Saba.{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/kann_news/status/1173889602186334208|title=יום הבחירות—ישראל ביתנו הגישה תלונה נגד הליכוד בטענה שאנשיה מחלקים מחוץ לקלפיות בפתח תקווה לוחות שנה כמתנה אסורה @yaara_shapirapic.twitter.com/IFbSiO0Oor|last=חדשות|first=כאן|date=17 September 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/kann_news/status/1173882646096699392|title=יום הבחירות—כחול לבן הגישה תלונה נגד הליכוד שפעיל שלה חילק שקיות בכפר סבא ועליהן תעמולה של המפלגה @amotzsh|last=חדשות|first=כאן|date=17 September 2019}}

Facebook suspended a chatbot on Netanyahu's Facebook account for 24 hours on 12 September for "hate speech", after it said that "a dangerous left-wing government" would rely on Arabs "who want to destroy us all—women, children, and men—and enable a nuclear Iran that would wipe us out"; Netanyahu remarked that he didn't write the statement, blamed a campaign staffer for the wording, and that the problem with the bot was immediately fixed.{{cite news|agency=The New York Times|date=12 September 2019|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/12/world/middleeast/facebook-netanyahu-bot.html?module=inline|title=Facebook Suspends Netanyahu Campaign Bot for Hate Speech|work=The New York Times |access-date=17 September 2019|last1=Kershner |first1=Isabel }}

On 25 September, the Central Election Commission revised its official vote count, giving Likud one extra seat at the cost of United Torah Judaism. The committee further announced that there was "real evidence of apparent vote tampering" in at least six polling stations.{{cite news |title=i24NEWS |url=https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/1569365806-election-committee-revises-vote-count-giving-likud-extra-seat-at-expensive-of-religious-utj |work=i24 News |date=24 September 2019}}

Results

{{Election results

|image=File:Israel Knesset Sept 2019.svg

|party1=Blue and White|votes1=1151214|seats1=33|sc1=–2

|party2=Likud|votes2=1113617|seats2=32|sc2=–6

|party3=Joint List|votes3=470211|seats3=13|sc3=+3

|party4=Shas|votes4=330199|seats4=9|sc4=+1

|party5=Yisrael Beiteinu|votes5=310154|seats5=8|sc5=+3

|party6=United Torah Judaism|votes6=268775|seats6=7|sc6=–1

|party7=Yamina|color7=#b7cc15|votes7=260655|seats7=7|sc7=+1

|party8=LaborGesher|votes8=212782|seats8=6|sc8=0

|party9=Democratic Union|votes9=192495|seats9=5|sc9=+1

|party10=Otzma Yehudit|votes10=83609|seats10=0|sc10=0

|party11=Tzomet|votes11=14805|seats11=0|sc11=0

|party12=Popular Unity|votes12=5946|seats12=0|sc12=New

|party13=Red and White|votes13=4358|seats13=0|sc13=New|color13=#ffc0cb

|party14=Justice|votes14=3053|seats14=0|sc14=New

|party15=Secular Right|votes15=2395|seats15=0|sc15=New|color15=#22254E

|party16=Respect and Equality|votes16=1545|seats16=0|sc16=New

|party17=Our Rights In Our Vote|votes17=1473|seats17=0|sc17=0|color17=gray

|party18=Pirate Party|votes18=1236|seats18=0|sc18=0|color18=black

|party19=Economic Power|votes19=1193|seats19=0|sc19=New

|party20=Liberal Democratic Progressive Party|votes20=1033|seats20=0|sc20=New

|party21=Kama|votes21=994|seats21=0|sc21=New

|party22=New Order|votes22=928|seats22=0|sc22=0

|party23=Democracy Party|votes23=736|seats23=0|sc23=New

|party24=North|votes24=725|seats24=0|sc24=New

|party25=Liberal Christian Movement|votes25=610|seats25=0|sc25=0

|party26=Da'am Workers Party|votes26=592|seats26=0|sc26=0

|party27=Human Dignity|votes27=542|seats27=0|sc27=0|color27=lightskyblue

|party28=Bible Bloc|votes28=497|seats28=0|sc28=0|color28=orange

|party29=Social Leadership|votes29=434|seats29=0|sc29=New|color29=#bdb76b

|invalid=28362

|total_sc=0

|electorate=6394030

|source=[https://votes22.bechirot.gov.il/nationalresults CEC], [https://www.timesofisrael.com/checked-and-double-checked-elections-committee-publishes-final-results/ The Times of Israel]

}}

=Members of the Knesset who lost their seats=

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 95%;"

!colspan=2|Party

!Name

!Year elected

!Notes

|-

! rowspan=1 style="background-color: #0085FF" |

| rowspan=1|The Jewish Home

|Eli Ben-Dahan

|2013

|

|-

! rowspan=1 style="background-color: {{party color|Meretz}}" |

| rowspan=1|Meretz

|Issawi Frej

|2013

|

|-

! rowspan=2 style="background-color: {{party color|Blue and White}}" |

| rowspan=2|Blue and White

|Yorai Lahav-Hertzanu

|2019

|

|-

|Idan Roll

|2019

|

|-

! rowspan=1 style="background-color: {{party color|Kulanu}}" |

| rowspan=1|Kulanu

|Roy Folkman

|2015

|{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/21st-knesset-we-hardly-knew-ye-meet-the-almost-identical-22nd/|title=21st Knesset, we hardly knew ye. Meet the (almost identical) 22nd|work=The Times of Israel|author=Raoul Wootliff|access-date=21 September 2019|date=19 September 2019}}

|-

! rowspan=5 style="background-color: {{party color|Likud}}" |

| rowspan=5|Likud

|Uzi Dayan

|2019

|

|-

|May Golan

|2019

|

|-

|Osnat Mark

|2018

|

|-

|Fateen Mulla

|2019

|

|-

|Ariel Kellner

|2019

|

|-

! style="background-color: {{party color|United Torah Judaism}}" |

| United Torah Judaism

|Yitzhak Pindros

|2019

|{{cite web|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/269393|title=Likud wins additional Knesset seat|work=Arutz Sheva|date=24 September 2019|access-date=24 September 2019}}

|}

Aftermath

{{further|Thirty-fifth government of Israel}}

The do-over election did not provide a clear view of the next government, as none could be formed without at least one party or leader reneging on their campaign promises on who should be prime minister, or on the religious-secular issue. Some mentioned the possibility of a third election.{{cite news |author1=Yoni Kempinski |title=Likud MK: There's always a possibility for a third election |url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/269050 |work=Arutz Sheva |date=17 September 2019 |language=en|access-date=18 September 2019}} The day before the election, Benny Gantz called President Reuven Rivlin to try to avoid a third election at all costs, after Benjamin Netanyahu had refused to rule them out.{{cite news |title=Gantz urges Rivlin to help ensure Israel does not go to third election |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/gantz-urges-rivlin-to-help-ensure-israel-does-not-go-to-third-election/ |work=The Times of Israel|access-date=18 September 2019|date=19 September 2019 }}

On election night, Avigdor Lieberman of Yisrael Beiteinu called for a "broad liberal government" that includes both Blue and White and Likud, and reiterated that he did not want to form any majority with the Arab parties. Benny Gantz claimed Prime ministership and Blue and White repeated that they would not form a government with Netanyahu, although they were open to one with Likud. Benyamin Netanyahu called for a "strong Zionist government".{{cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/elections/.premium-israel-election-results-gantz-widens-lead-over-netanyahu-1.7863313|title=Israel Election Results: Netanyahu Says No Choice but to Form Broad Unity Government|date=19 September 2019|work=Haaretz}} On the left, Labor–Gesher stated it wanted to bring Arab parties "to the table", some of which are open to recommending Gantz.

On 18 September, Netanyahu met with the emissaries of Yamina, Shas, and UTJ, to build a right-wing bloc to negotiate together.{{cite news|url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel-Elections/Netanyahus-new-math-How-is-55-worth-more-than-60-602168|title=Netanyahu's new math: When 56 is worth more than 60|work=The Jerusalem Post|date=19 September 2019}}

On 19 September, Rivlin, Netanyahu and Gantz met during a memorial ceremony for Shimon Peres. Netanyahu urged Gantz to speak with him about forming a unity government, for the sake of avoiding a third round of elections. Speaking for Blue and White, Gantz and Lapid both rejected Netanyahu's offer, saying Blue and White had won, and that Gantz had the right to lead a unity government committed to liberal policies on social issues, and thus refusing to discuss forming such a government with Netanyahu as long as right-wing religious parties were included. Lapid remarked that "if Netanyahu steps aside, we'll have a unity government".{{cite news|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/gantz-rejecting-netanyahu-spin-says-he-should-lead-unity-government/|title=Gantz says he should lead unity government, rejects coalition led by right|work=The Times of Israel|date=19 September 2019}} Lieberman likewise accused Netanyahu of "deception" by offering a unity government, but conditioning it on the inclusion of religious parties.{{cite news|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liberman-says-he-intends-to-recommend-gantz-for-prime-minister-report/|title=Liberman said to tell aides he intends to recommend Gantz for prime minister|date=19 September 2019|author=Michael Bachner|work=The Times of Israel}}

The same day, Gantz met with Horowitz. His aides said they expect a meeting with other party leaders, Odeh and Peretz. Labor–Gesher's six MKs could allow Netanyahu's bloc of 55 to find a majority. Likud thus reportedly offered Peretz the Finance portfolio, and a raise of the minimum wage, but the same sources say Peretz turned down the offer, which goes against a campaign vow. Netanyahu met with Degel HaTorah MKs, who, along with other Haredi parties (Shas, Agudat Yisrael), are starting to backtrack on their refusal not to govern with Lapid, in the case Lapid himself U-turns on Netanyahu. Lieberman was equivocal as to whether he would support Gantz, fearing to be sidelined from a unity government, or one that includes Haredim. According to Channel 13, Gantz reportedly promised to include Yisrael Beiteinu in any coalition.{{cite news|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/parties-jostle-for-position-hold-talks-in-bid-to-break-coalition-impasse/|title=Parties jostle for position, hold talks in bid to break coalition impasse|date=20 September 2019|website=The Times of Israel}}

On 21 September, the 13 MKs from the Joint List met together. 10 of them—with three Balad MKs dissenting—expressed their readiness to nominate Gantz if he meets "basic demands" on the peace process, the Arab community's interests, and the Jewish nation-state law.{{cite news|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/joint-list-meets-fails-to-decide-on-recommending-gantz-for-prime-minister/|title=Joint List of Arab parties seen leaning toward recommending Gantz for PM|date=21 September 2019|website=The Times of Israel}} President Rivlin met with party leaders on 22 September for the first day of talks.{{cite news |title=LIVEBLOG: Gantz leads in votes for next Israeli PM after first day of talks |url=https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/1569157269-israeli-party-leaders-make-recommendations-for-next-prime-minister |access-date=22 September 2019 |work=i24 News|date=22 September 2019}} On 22 September 2019, the Joint List leader Ayman Odeh declared that the Joint List had agreed, by internal majority voting, to endorse Benny Gantz for prime minister, marking the first time an Arab-Israeli party had endorsed a Zionist for prime minister.{{Cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Gantz-on-verge-of-getting-more-recommendations-602441|title=Joint List endorses Gantz without Balad, giving Netanyahu majority|work=The Jerusalem Post|author1=Gil Hoffman|author2=Lahav Harkov|date=22 September 2019|access-date=22 September 2019}} Though initial reports suggested that the Joint List's recommendation gave Gantz a 57 to 55 edge, Rivlin revealed on 23 September that three Balad MKs—elected as part of the Joint List—demanded that their names be removed from a list of nominees of Gantz. After a day of confusion, Tibi and Odeh—leaders of the two pro-Gantz parties within Joint List—wrote a letter to Rivlin clarifying that the Joint List did not, in fact, have a unity agreement that legally binds individual parties to follow the party's nomination for the prime minister.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/23/israel-boost-for-netanyahu-as-three-arab-politicians-refuse-to-back-rival|title=Boost for Netanyahu as three Arab politicians refuse to back rival|first=Oliver|last=Holmes|work=The Guardian|date=23 September 2019|access-date=23 September 2019}} As such, Balad's three MKs were legally allowed to ignore the Joint List's recommendation. As a result, Netanyahu leads Gantz in tallied recommendations by a 55 to 54 margin, with eight delegates from Yisrael Beiteinu and three delegates from Balad yet to recommend either. On 25 September, Rivlin selected Netanyahu to attempt to form the thirty-fifth government of Israel, but with the stipulation that if the attempt fails, Rivlin retains the mandate to nominate another candidate.{{Cite news|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/back-to-square-one-new-elections-loom-after-rivlins-unity-bid-falls-short/|title=Back to square one: New elections loom after Rivlin's unity bid falls short|date=25 September 2019|work=The Times of Israel|access-date=25 September 2019|language=en|author=Raoul Wootliff}}

New members of Knesset were sworn in on 3{{nbsp}}October 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/elections/.premium-no-breakthrough-in-netanyahu-lieberman-meeting-to-end-political-deadlock-1.7928563|title=Riffing on Elvis, Netanyahu warns of 'heavy price' if no unity government |author=Jonathan Lis|date=3 October 2019|access-date=4 October 2019|work=Haaretz}} The same day, talks between Netanyahu and Lieberman ended with no breakthrough.{{cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/elections/.premium-no-breakthrough-in-netanyahu-lieberman-meeting-to-end-political-deadlock-1.7928563|title=Israel Election Results: 'No Breakthrough' in Netanyahu-Lieberman Meeting to End Political Deadlock Netanyahu|first=Jonathan|last=Lis|publisher=Haaretz|date=3 October 2019|access-date=3 October 2019}} Moments after it was announced that Netanyahu was aiming to demonstrate Likud party unity with a leadership contest, the Israeli Prime Minister received a challenge from Gideon Sa'ar, who tersely tweeted, "I'm ready", should the Prime Minister agree to hold a leadership election.{{cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/elections/netanyahu-considers-snap-primary-to-dispel-rebellion-likud-rival-i-m-ready-1.7935162|title=Israel Election Results: Netanyahu Considers Snap Primary to Dispel 'Rebellion Illusion'; Likud Rival: I'm Ready|first=Jonathan|last=Lis|publisher=Haaretz|date=3 October 2019|access-date=3 October 2019}}{{cite news|url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel-Elections/Benjamin-Netanyahu-mulling-snap-race-for-Likud-leader-603579|title=Netanyahu quashes 'coup' to unseat him: Sa'ar ready to challenge Netanyahu for Likud leadership |first=Gil|last=Hoffman|publisher=The Jerusalem Post|date=3 October 2019|access-date=3 October 2019}} On 4{{nbsp}}October, Netanyahu decided against holding a leadership election.{{cite news|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/with-retreat-from-snap-primary-likud-to-confirm-netanyahu-as-choice-for-pm/|title=Abandoning leadership primary, Likud to confirm Netanyahu as choice for PM|work=The Times of Israel|access-date=4 October 2019|date=4 October 2019 }}

On 22 October, Netanyahu informed President Rivlin that he was unable to form a government.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/21/israels-benjamin-netanyahu-fails-to-form-government|title=Benjamin Netanyahu tells Israeli president he cannot form government|first=Oliver|last=Holmes|newspaper=The Guardian |date=21 October 2019|via=www.theguardian.com}} On 23 October, President Rivlin gave the mandate of forming a government to Gantz.{{cite news |author=Raoul Wootliff|title=Charged with forming coalition, Gantz asks Netanyahu to join, vows to heal rifts|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/charged-with-forming-coalition-gantz-asks-netanyahu-to-join-vows-to-heal-rifts/|access-date=23 October 2019 |work=The Times of Israel |date=23 October 2019}}

Gantz was then given 28 days to form a coalition to lead the government,{{cite web |last1=Lis |first1=Jonathan |title=Israeli President to Task Gantz With Forming Government on Wednesday |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/elections/israeli-president-to-task-gantz-with-forming-government-on-wednesday-1.8016595 |website=Haaretz |language=en |date=22 October 2019}} but was unable and returned the mandate on 21 November. Following this, a period of 21 days began in which any Knesset member can lead the government if they submit 61 signatures to the president.{{cite web |title=Rivlin hands over mandate, begs MKs to prevent third election|url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Rivlin-Edelstein-beg-MKs-to-prevent-third-election-608584|website=The Jerusalem Post|language=en |date=21 November 2019|access-date=21 November 2019|author=Gil Hoffman}} Since no MK was able to form a government by 11 December, the Knesset again voted to dissolve itself, with new elections held on 2{{nbsp}}March 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-calls-another-election-for-march-the-third-in-a-year/|title=Israel calls another election for March, the third in a year|work=The Times of Israel|access-date=11 December 2019|date=11 December 2019}}

See also

References

{{reflist}}

External links

{{Commons category}}

  • [https://bechirot22.bechirot.gov.il/election/English/pages/default.aspx Elections for the 22nd Knesset] at the Israeli Central Elections Committee
  • [https://quantitatively.club/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Dominant-Party-Final-Results.html September 2019 election results by polling station]
  • [https://z.ynet.co.il/short/content/ElectionMap2019/?externalurl=true September 2019 election map by localities]

{{Israeli elections}}

{{Benjamin Netanyahu}}

Israel

Legislative 2

2019 09

Legislative election

2019 09

Category:Benny Gantz

Category:Yair Lapid

Category:Amir Peretz

Category:Avigdor Lieberman